HCA Florida Memorial and Orange Park Hospitals are hosting the 4th “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take back day on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to help raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications.

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. In 2022, there were more than 109,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an increase from 2021.

Memorial and Orange Park Hospitals are participating as part of HCA Healthcare’s fifth annual national “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take back day. In October 2022, all 15 HCA Healthcare U.S. divisions hosted events at more than 100 locations across 17 states. In total, approximately 19,423 pounds, equivalent to 13.4 million doses, of unused and expired prescription medications were collected.

Law enforcement officers from the Jacksonville and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices 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, vape cartridges without batteries and pet medication will also be accepted. Any medications will be accepted; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.

“Crush the Crisis” will take place at both HCA Florida Memorial Hospital and HCA Florida Middleburg Emergency with drive-through and drop off service available.