MTSU’s Drug-Vape Take-Back nets over 80 pounds of unwanted medications and vapes

Middle Tennessee State University officials collected more than 80 pounds of unwanted medications and vape products during the biannual MTSU Drug-Vape Take-Back event recently held on campus.

“We’re pleased with the community’s response,” said Tabby Ragland, director of the MTSU Campus Pharmacy and a co-organizer of the effort.

The public dropped off 76.6 pounds of medications during the Thursday, April 23, event using the pharmacy’s drive-thru outside the Health, Wellness and Recreation Center. The total included 14.6 pounds of controlled substances, 33.8 pounds of prescription medications and 28.2 pounds of over-the-counter medications.

Participants also turned in 136 vape products weighing approximately 15 pounds.

The event was hosted through a partnership between the Middle Tennessee State University Campus Pharmacy, University Police and MTSU Health Promotion as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s national initiative to provide a safe, convenient and environmentally responsible way to dispose of unneeded medications while educating the public about prescription drug abuse.

Expired, unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, along with vape products, were accepted from both the campus community and the general public.

The event, held as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, aims to provide a safe and secure method for disposing of prescription drugs while promoting public awareness about medication misuse and abuse.