HCA Florida Healthcare facilities in Central Florida are hosting their fifth annual “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take back day to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications, on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.The event, which coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offers the community an opportunity to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
Prescription drug misuse is a public health crisis in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 109,170 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, an increase from 2021. A significant number of drug addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused medications from family and friends.
The event aims to educate the community on the risk of prescription drug 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 facilities are participating as part of HCA Healthcare’s fifth annual national “Crush the Crisis” prescription take back day. Last year, more than 100 HCA Healthcare facilities from all 15 U.S. divisions partnered with local law enforcement to collect and safely dispose of 19,423 pounds of medication — an estimated 13.4 million doses — which is the highest amount collected of any Crush the Crisis event to date.
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.
The six HCA Florida Healthcare designated drop-off locations include:
- UCF Lake Nona 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 Airport North Emergency, an affiliate of HCA Florida Osceola Hospital – 5597 Lee Vista Blvd. in Orlando
