Vaping devices now accepted on Drug Take Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Administration will accept vaping devices Saturday during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
According to the DEA, vaping is just as dangerous as any of the prescription drugs turned in during Take Back Day.
DEA Special Agent Carlos Lavastida said anyone will be permitted to drop off vaping devices, no questions asked. The only requirement is that the device’s lithium ion battery is removed prior to drop off.
"The DEA does consider vaping as dangerous as any other prescription medication,” Lavastida said.
National Take Back Day was originally designed as a proper way for people to get rid of their unused prescription drugs. The DEA has collected more than 11 million pounds of prescription medication nationwide over the last 10 years.
The Urbandale Police Department is one of the drug drop off locations. Both the Urbandale Police Department and the DEA cite the teen vaping epidemic as the motivating factor for accepting vaping devices.
"Vaping, obviously with the epidemic going on throughout the country, keeping them out of the hands of kids or you know ... people who shouldn't have those things,” Urbandale police Sgt. Chad Underwood said.
“Illnesses and some deaths as a result in vaping, especially around the youths that are using it,” Lavastida said.
Underwood said he hopes everyone takes advantage of the drop off.
“The object here is to get these things out of the hands of people, especially minors and vaping materials or people who just don't think they're good for their health and want to turn them in,” he said.
The Urbandale Police Department will accept drop offs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit takebackday.dea.gov for additional drop off locations.