National Drug Take Back Day to accept vaping devices for the first time

Tomorrow is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and for the first time, the DEA-sponsored event will also accept vaping devices and cartridges. Started in 2010, the day aims to reduce the number of prescription medications and other drugs that could illicitly end up in the hands of those for whom the medications were not intended. The addition of vaping devices reflects a growing concern over the use of e-cigarettes. Such devices have been linked to a series of lung illnesses and related deaths in recent weeks — more than 1,600 cases and 34 deaths at last count. In a statement, a DEA administrator described this move as being an effort to “to combat this emerging public health threat to the nation’s youth.” Local collection sites can be found here.