Question: When is the next drug disposal event? I don’t like having this stuff around. I am older and have some health problems, so I get prescribed quite a bit. Some of it is “take as needed” and I don’t need all of it. … I like to get rid of it all at once.
Answer: The National Take-Back Initiative, in which Hawaii law enforcement agencies participate, is set for Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations throughout the state.
People can dispose of pills, liquids and other forms of medication anonymously, with no questions asked. Needles and syringes (new or used) will not be accepted.
A collection site has been added in Kapolei.
Here are the drop-off locations, according to a flyer from the state Department of Public Safety, which works with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies on the initiative.
Oahu
>> State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St.; drive-thru from Beretania Street.
>> Kahala Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave; inside the mall near the Kilauea Avenue entrance.
>> Kapolei Police Station, 1100 Kamokila Blvd.; parking lot.
>> Pearl City station of Honolulu Police Department, 1100 Waimano Home Road; parking lot.
>> Town Center of Mililani, 95-1249 Meheula Parkway.
>> Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway; near food court inside the mall.
Military bases on Oahu (for those with base access)
>> Hickam Commissary, 200 Hickam Court, No. 2093; front entrance.
>> Marine Corps Exchange, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe; front entrance.
>> Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange, 4725 Bougainville Drive; main lobby.
>> Schofield Barracks Post Exchange; inside near flower shop.
Hawaii island
>> Ka Waena Lapaau Medical Complex, 670 Ponahawai St. in Hilo; upper parking lot.
>> Kona station of Hawaii Police Department, 74-0611 Hale Makai Place; parking lot.
Maui
>> Maui Police Department, 55 Mahalani St. in Wailuku; parking lot.
Kauai
>> Kauai Police Department, 3990 Kaana St. in Lihue; parking lot.
According to the DEA, research shows that most prescription drugs that are abused were first obtained from family and friends, often from a medicine cabinet in a home. Swiftly and properly disposing of unused and unneeded prescription drugs reduces the chance of that happening, authorities say.
Q: What’s going on at Buca di Beppo? It closed suddenly.
A: The popular Italian restaurant in Honolulu’s Ward Entertainment Complex is scheduled to reopen on Oct. 22 after kitchen repairs, according to the employee who answered our call.
The restaurant closed Monday for two weeks of kitchen repairs and remodeling that need to be finished before the busy holiday season, said the employee, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized by the national chain’s corporate office to speak to the media.
The temporary closure is not related to any health-code violation, he said, a fact we confirmed with the state Department of Health. Buca di Beppo was last inspected in April and holds a green placard, the best rating.
Mahalo
We would like to thank the young man who helped us at the Honolulu airport on Sept. 17 in the late afternoon. My boyfriend’s legs gave way under him as he was going down the escalator to baggage claim. I had to stop the escalator but without this young man’s help, my boyfriend would not have been able to walk off to safety. Thankfully, he was not hurt. Thank you for your kindness in our time of need. — Grateful in Mililani
Mahalo
A belated mahalo to the two young men and the Kahala station EMT crew for helping after a nighttime car crash on the Pali Highway exit off H-1 on Aug. 10. Their kindness and efficiency are much appreciated. — Grateful carpool
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
