Hospitals to partner with local law enforcement to encourage the safe disposal of unused or expired medication

HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals in Central Florida are hosting its fourth annual “Crush the Crisis” national opioid take back day to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications, on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The event coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and invites the community to safely dispose of unused or expired medication before they may be obtained and misused. 

The event aims to educate the community on the risk of opioid misuse, while providing a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.HCA Florida Healthcare Central Florida hospitals are participating as part of HCA Healthcare’s fourth annual national “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day. Last year, 96 HCA Healthcare facilities in 17 states collected 15,566 pounds of unused and expired prescription medications at “Crush the Crisis” events across the nation.

Law enforcement officers across Central Florida will be collecting: tablets, capsules and patches of Hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), Tramadol (Ultram), Codeine, Fentanyl (Duragesic), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Oxymorphone (Opana). Ointments, lotions, drops, liquid medication (in leak-proof containers) and vape cartridges (without batteries) and pet medications will also be accepted.

Any medications are accepted; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.

Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, almost a 15 percent increase from 2020.

A significant number of opioid addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused opioids from family and friends.

“Crush The Crisis” happens Sat. October 29 at collection sites from 10 am to 2pm.

The six designated drop-off locations include:

• UCF Lake Hospital* – 6700 Lake Nona Blvd. in Orlando
• Oviedo Medical Center – 8300 Red Bug Lake Road in Oviedo
• HCA Florida Osceola Hospital – 700 W. Oak Street in Kissimmee
• HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital – 325 Cypress Parkway in Kissimmee
• HCA Florida Baldwin Park Emergency, an affiliate of Oviedo Medical Center – 2361 N. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando
• HCA Florida Heathrow Emergency, an affiliate of HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital – 4525 International Parkway in Sanford