Press Releases: Hawaii
March 22, 2012
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Sponsors Drug Take-Back Days in April
Partnership with state of Hawaii Narcotics Enforcement Division and Attorney General’s Office properly disposes of expired and unused drugs
HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, in partnership with the state of Hawaii Narcotics Enforcement Division and Attorney General’s Office, announces drug take-back days taking place in April at Kaiser Permanente clinics on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. The drug take-back days offer the community the opportunity to properly dispose of medications that are either expired or not being used in an effort to prevent prescription drug abuse or improper disposal.
The “2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings” by the Department of Health and Human Services found that unused medication in the household may contribute to growing rates of prescription drug abuse among Americans, particularly teenagers. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, many teens erroneously believe that it is safer to use prescription drugs than street drugs, and they report that these drugs are easier to obtain than street drugs. This behavior poses a serious public health problem and is contributing to the steady uptick in poison-related deaths in the United States.
Improper disposal of unwanted medications also has environmental consequences. In the absence of prescription drug waste-collection programs, unwanted prescription drugs are flushed down toilets or disposed of in the trash. There is concern that these practices contribute to the contamination of surface waters, ground waters and biosolids. The presence of pharmaceuticals has been linked to abnormalities and impaired reproductive performance in some aquatic species.
Drug-take back days schedule:
| Day | Time | Location |
| Oahu | ||
| April 16, Monday |
9 a.m.–noon | Kahuku Clinic |
| 1–4 p.m. | Waipio Clinic | |
 |
|
|
| April 17, Tuesday |
9 a.m.–noon | Koolau Clinic (Kaneohe) |
| 1–4 p.m. | Moanalua Medical Center | |
|
|
|
| April 18, Wednesday |
9 a.m.–noon | Kailua Clinic |
| 1–4 p.m. | Honolulu Clinic | |
|
|
|
| April 19, Thursday |
9 a.m.–noon | Nanaikeola Clinic (Nanakuli) |
| 1–4 p.m. | Kapolei Clinic | |
|
|
|
| April 20, Friday |
9 a.m.–noon | Hawaii Kai |
| 1–4 p.m. | Mapunapuna Clinc | |
| Maui | ||
| April 23, Monday |
9 a.m.–noon | Lahaina Clinic |
| 1–4 p.m. | Wailuku Clinic | |
|
|
|
| April 24, Tuesday |
9 a.m.–noon | Kihei Clinic |
| 1–4 p.m. | Maui Lani Clinic | |
| Big Island | ||
| April 25, Wednesday |
9 a.m.–noon | Kona Clinic |
| 1–4 p.m. | South Kona Clinic | |
|
|
|
| April 26, Thursday |
9 a.m.–noon | Waimea Clinic |
| 1–4 p.m. | Hilo Clinic | |
For questions or more information, call 808-432-5549.
About Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has provided total health to the people of Hawaii for more than 50 years. Care for members is focused on their total health being guided by their personal physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Expert care and medical teams are supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Its physicians are members of the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty physician group practice in the state of Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. Visit kp.org for additional information.
