April 25 Prescription Drug Take-Back Event for Hawaii Residents

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2026-20 RESIDENTS URGED TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF UNUSED MEDICATIONS AT APRIL 25 PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK EVENT

Posted on Apr 21, 2026 in Latest Department News, Newsroom STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

**

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

ANNE LOPEZ

ATTORNEY GENERAL

LOIO KUHINA

RESIDENTS URGED TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF UNUSED MEDICATIONS AT APRIL 25 PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK EVENT

News Release 2026-20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2026

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General, in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement Narcotics Enforcement Division and county law enforcement agencies, is encouraging residents to safely dispose of unused or expired medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The DEA has created a digital social media campaign and residents are encouraged to use their materials or create their own social media posts using #TakeBackDay to help spread the word.

The Take Back event will be conducted at free, anonymous, drive-through collection sites on Oʻahu, Maui and Kaua‘i. For a list of locations, go to http://ag.hawaii.gov.

The Take Back events are conducted twice a year and are a free and anonymous service to the public – no questions asked. This initiative helps prevent medication misuse and protects the environment. Tablets, capsules, liquids and other forms of medication will be accepted. Everything can be kept in its original container. No labels need to be removed. Vaping devices will also be accepted, but batteries must be removed. Syringes will not be accepted.

“The National Take Back Initiative demonstrates DEA’s commitment to promoting the health and safety of Hawaiʻi residents,” says Megan Fila, acting assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Honolulu District Office. “With this event, DEA encourages members of the community to bring unused and expired medications out of their homes for disposal. The results of past DEA Take Back events are substantial, with thousands of pounds of unneeded, potentially dangerous medications being collected and safely destroyed. Through collaborative education and action, we can save lives.”

“The National Take Back Initiative’s success is a result of community involvement,” said Jared Redulla, Department of Law Enforcement Deputy Director  “Help from our local residents disposing unused or unwanted medications at any of the community take-back locations simply saves lives and prevents health dangers caused when these medications end up in the wrong hands or are misused — dispose responsibly and stay safe.”

“Hawaiʻi continues to collect unused and expired medications from its residents, keeping medications out of the environment,” said Valerie Mariano, branch chief, Community and Crime Prevention Branch, Department of the Attorney General. “Locally, most of our county police stations have a green Hawaiʻi Medication Drop Box and Disposal Program, along with select pharmacies and military locations for those with base access. Let’s continue to work together to keep Hawaiʻi safe.”

Year-round green box disposal sites can be found on the Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) website at: https://health.hawaii.gov/substance-abuse/ and through the DEA Locator Tool at: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday#resources

Medication Storage/Disposal Safety Tips:

Unused or expired medicine should be properly disposed of when no longer needed.

• Medicines may lose their effectiveness after the expiration date.
• Improper use of prescription drugs can be as dangerous as illegal drug use.
• Having unused or expired medicine in your home increases the risk of accidental poisoning. Homes where children or the elderly live are especially vulnerable to this danger.
• People may mistake one type of medicine for another, or children may mistake medicine for candy. Do not flush medications or throw them in the trash. Proper disposal reduces the risk of prescription drugs entering the human water supply or potentially harming aquatic life.

For drug education materials for families, schools, and organizations, please visit: Together for Families | DEA.gov.

For help with substance use/misuse and addiction, visit:

https://health.hawaii.gov/substance-abuse/

https://ag.hawaii.gov/cpja/ccp/

https://www.drugfreehawaii.org/.

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