HCA Healthcare North Florida Division announced today that six of their facilities in the Orlando Market are hosting opioid take back events on Saturday, October 23rd, to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and proper disposal of medications. HCA Healthcare’s “Crush the Crisis” event supports the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, inviting community members to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired prescription medications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70,630 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019, with more than 70% attributed to opioids. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the U.S. is seeing an increase in opioid usage, and it is possible that a significant number of opioid addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused opioid prescription medications of family and friends.
“Opioid addiction is a national health crisis, and it is imperative that we get unused pain medications out of homes where they can more easily end up in the wrong hands,” said Dr. Jeremy Joslin, Chief Medical Officer, Central Florida Regional Hospital. “We invite you to join us for this year’s ‘Crush the Crisis’ event to properly dispose of unused medications and help us in educating the community about the serious threat of opioid misuse.”
During the event, community members can dispose of unused or expired prescription medications safely and anonymously at HCA Healthcare’s designated “Crush the Crisis” drop-off locations across Central Florida, including:
- UCF Lake Nona Medical Center – 6700 Lake Nona Blvd. in Orlando
- Oviedo Medical Center – 8300 Red Bug Lake Road in Oviedo
- Poinciana Medical Center – 325 Cypress Parkway in Kissimmee
- Baldwin Park ER, an affiliate of Oviedo Medical Center – 2361 N. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando
- Heathrow ER, an affiliate of Central Florida Regional Hospital – 4525 International Parkway in Sanford
- ChampionsGate Emergency, an affiliate of Poinciana Medical Center – 8460 Champions Gate Blvd. in ChampionsGate
Local law enforcement officers will be present at the designated sites collecting tablets, capsules and patches of Hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), Tramadol (Ultram), Codeine, Fentanyl (Duragesic), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Oxymorphone (Opana). Needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place at all collection sites, including universal masking and social distancing. Drive-through collection options are also available.
HCA Healthcare North Florida Division – Orlando Market facilities are participating as part of HCA Healthcare’s third annual national “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day. In October 2020, 95 HCA Healthcare facilities in 18 states collected 13,523 pounds of unused and expired prescription medications at “Crush the Crisis” events around the country.
For more information, visit hcahealthcare.com/crushthecrisis or call the toll-free information line at (833) 582-1970.
