Medication drop-off boxes more prevalent on neighbor islands

Oahu is trailing Maui and Hawaii island in the number of medication drop-off boxes at police stations used to safely dispose of pain medication or prescription opioids.

The newly implemented Hawaii Medication Drop Box Program, which will operate 365 days a year, supplements the existing National Take Back Initiative, a twice-a-year event allowing the public to safely dispose of medication. The next National Takeback Initiative will happen Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations across the state.

Maui County has six medication drop boxes in place at the Wailuku, Lanai, Hana, Lahaina, Molokai and Kihei police stations. The Big Island was given eight medication drop boxes, and currently has three in place at the Hilo, Puna and Kona stations. Kauai was given two medication boxes and has one in place at the Lihue station.

Though the Honolulu Police Department was given nine drop boxes, Oahu currently has one medication drop box at the state Narcotics Enforcement Division, near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

“As of now, a timeline has not been set,” HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu said. “The start date and locations will be based on staffing and security concerns,” she said.

In Hawaii, 68 people died from prescription opioids in 2016, said Eddie Mersereau of the state Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.