Drug Takeback Day Will Include Vaping Products Saturday

You can safely and responsibly dispose of unused medications at designated collection sites.Twice a year, Take Back Day gathers thousands of pounds of prescription drugs and helps to prevent drug abuse and misuse across the United States. Louisiana hosted 131 collection sites during two Drug Enforcement Agency sponsored Take Back Days in 2018, collecting 8,415 of unused and expired medications statewide.

This year’s addition of vaping devices and cartridges to Take Back Day comes amidst a national outbreak of lung injury associated with such products. As of October 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,479 cases and 33 deaths nationwide. In Louisiana, there have been 25 cases associated with this outbreak. All patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette or vaping products. The specific cause of the injuries is still under investigation.