Electronic vaping devices and cartridges will now be accepted
FRANKFORT, Ky. (October 22, 2019) - The Kentucky State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are partnering on October 26, 2019 to encourage citizens to remove potentially dangerous medicines from their homes and dispose of them safely. This will be the 18th National Drug Take Back Day, a campaign resulting in millions of pounds of opioids and other medicines gathered, reducing possible drug misuse.
Electronic vaping devices and cartridges will now be accepted
For the first time, the DEA and partnering law enforcement agencies will be accepting vaping devices and cartridges at any drop off location during National Take Back Day.
These devices cannot contain lithium ion batteries.
With the rising concerns of "vaping-linked" illness and death across the United States, this effort will promote a healthier lifestyle in a safe disposal of vaping devices and substances.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there was at least 1,479 lung injury cases reported across every state but Alaska, all connecting to the use of e-cigarette, or vaping products.
Thirty-three deaths from these products have been confirmed nationally.
Collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 16 locations throughout the state.
Below is the list of locations across the state:
| Post 1 8366 State Route 45 North Hickory, KY 42051 Phone: (270) 856-3721 |
Post 2 1000 Western KY Parkway Nortonville, KY 42442 Phone: (270) 676-3313 |
Post 3 3119 Nashville Rd Bowling Green, KY 42102 Phone: (270) 782-2010 |
| Post 4 1055 North Mulberry Elizabethtown, KY 42701 Phone: (270) 766-5078 |
Post 5 160 Citation Lane Campbellsburg, KY 40011 Phone: (502) 532-6363 |
Post 6 4265 US 25 North Dry Ridge, KY 41035 Phone: (859) 428-1212 |
| Post 7 699 Eastern Bypass Richmond, KY 40475 Phone: (859) 623-2404 |
Post 8 (1 of 2) Morehead Police Dept. 105 East Main St. Morehead, KY 40351 |
Post 8 (2 of 2) Walmart 200 Walmart Way Morehead, KY 40351 |
| Post 9 3499 North Mayo Trail Pikeville, KY 41501 Phone: (606) 433-7711 |
Post 10 3319 US 421 South Harlan, KY 40831 Phone: (606) 573-3131 |
Post 11 Laurel Co Health Dept. 525 Whitley St. London, KY 40741 Phone: (606) 878-6622 |
| Post 12 1250 Louisville Road Frankfort, KY 40601 Phone: (502) 227-2221 |
Post 13 100 Justice Drive Hazard, KY 41701 Phone: (606) 435-6069 |
Post 14 5975 State Route 60 Ashland, KY 41101 Phone: (606) 928-6421 |
| Post 15 1118 Jamestown St Columbia, KY 42728 Phone: (270) 384-4796 |
Post 16 8298 Keach Drive Henderson, KY 42420 Phone: (270) 826-3312 |
Locations are also listed on the KSP website at
http://kentuckystatepolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/October-2019-POST-TAKE-BACK-LOCATIONS.pdf
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
In April of 2019, citizens across the U.S. safely disposed of nearly 470 tons of unneeded medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Kentucky alone collected 13,457 pounds of unwanted/unused prescription drugs.
KSP spokesperson Sgt. Josh Lawson advised that the program is designed to be easy for citizens and offered the following tips for those interested in participating:
- Participants may dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box located at the drop off location.
- All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers will be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in original containers. The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
- Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.
- Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.
For more information about the Take Back program, contact KSP at 502-782-1780 or visit the DEA website at https://takebackday.dea.gov/
