Middle Tennessee State University officials collected over 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, a co-organizer of the effort.

The public dropped off 76.6 pounds of medications at the Thursday, April 23, event using the pharmacy’s convenient drive-thru outside the Health, Wellness and Recreation Center. This total includes 14.6 pounds of controlled substances, 33.8 pounds of prescriptions and 28.2 pounds of over-the-counter medications. There were also 136 vapes dropped off, which weigh approximately 15 pounds.

The event is hosted through a partnership between 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 also educating about the abuse of prescription drugs. 

Expired, unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as vapes, were accepted from the campus community and the general public.

The event, part of a national Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, aims to provide a safe, secure and environmentally responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse and trafficking of medications. 

Assisting with the drive were fourth-year Lipscomb University pharmacy student Ariel Todd and Morgan Verdeck, a staff member with Murfreesboro-based Prevention Coalition for Success.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)