Expired or unused prescription medicines can be turned in at collections sites around the state through the rest of the month and on Oct. 29.

The Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative encourages residents to turn in unneeded medications, which can be done anonymously. The program will accept tablets, capsules and all other solid forms medications. 

"Unused or expired prescription drugs pose serious health and safety risks for those in our state," said Attorney General Louie in a press release.  "This is the third take-back effort in which our department is involved.  I encourage everyone in the state to participate and bring in their unused or expired prescription drugs at the participating take-back locations." 

The Attorney General’s office is partnering with the Narcotics Enforcement Division, Department of Public Safety; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; University of Hawaii-Hilo, School of Pharmacy; and Ohana Health Plan.

"Last year, approximately 70 peercent of controlled substances that were brought into the Take Back program were identified as narcotic/pain killers. In all counties, narcotic/pain killers accounted for the highest percentages of controlled substances collected," said Narcotics Enforcement Division Acting Administrator Derek Nakamura. "This program allows people to safely dispose of their expired or unused medications." 

National Take-Back Day on Oct. 29 will concide this year with the DEA’s Red Ribbon Week for drug-use awareness.

Here are the Take-Back collection sites:

Sept. 23-25

>>Senior’s Fair, Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, Booth 540, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sept. 27

>>Pain Management Day, Kaiser Permenente-Moanalua lobby, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

>>Oahu: State Capitol drive-through facing South Beretania St.; Kahala Mall, inside, Kilauea Ave. end; Town Center of Mililani, bandstand area; Windward Mall, center court.

>> Kauai: Kauai Police Department parking lot

>> Maui: Maui Police Department parking lot

>>Hawaii Island: National Guard Aviation Facility, Airport Road

For more information, go to www.hawaii.gov/ag, www.hawaii.gov/psd, or www.justice.gov/dea/