Ohio Drug Take Back Sites Accepting Vaping Cartridges

CLEVELAND — Saturday is Nation Drug Take Back Day and collection sites throughout Northeast Ohio will accept vaping cartridges for the first time. Ohio has been one of several states dealing with an outbreak of mysterious pulmonary illnesses linked to vaping.

At least 10 people in Ohio have fallen seriously ill with a mysterious pulmonary illness. Health officials believe the sickness has been brought on by vaping use. Nationally, 34 people have died due to pulmonary illness related to vaping, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Since 2010, the DEA has partnered with local law enforcement to host prescription drug collection sites. Many journeys into addiction have started in a relative's medicine cabinet, and DEA officials wanted to limit the chance for individuals to be exposed to harmful drugs.

Over nearly a decade of collection, DEA has gathered 11 million pounds of unwanted prescription medications. Adding vaping cartridges to acceptable disposable materials will reduce the risk of pulmonary illness, officials hope.

“I encourage everyone to go into their medicine cabinets this Saturday and safely dispose of their leftover pills and medication,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “We know of far too many heartbreaking stories of addiction that begin with someone abusing or misusing prescription medication. Drug Take Back Day is a way for everyone to get involved in combating this drug epidemic that has devastated so many families here in Ohio."

Collection sites active on Saturday can be found online.