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

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 of medications.

"Unused or expired prescription drugs pose serious health and safety risks for those in our state," Attorney General David Louie said in a news 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 percent of controlled substances that were brought into the Take Back program were identified as narcotic/painkillers. In all counties, narcotic/painkillers 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 coincide this year with the DEA’s Red Ribbon Week for drug-use awareness.

Here are the Take-Back collection dates and sites:

Today, Saturday and Sunday

» Hawaii Seniors’ Fair, Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, Booth 540, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Tuesday

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

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

» Oahu: State Capitol drive-through (South Beretania Street), Kahala Mall (Kilauea Avenue 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.