Hospital to partner with Hernando County Sheriff’s Department to encourage the safe disposal of unused or expired medication from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hernando County, Fla. October 2, 2023 – HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital is hosting its 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.
WHY: 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.
WHAT: Crush the Crisis – Prescription Drug Take Back Day
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 Oak Hill Hospital is 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 from the Hernando County Sheriff Department 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.
WHO: HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospitalcolleagues, including doctors, nurses and staff, and members of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department invite community members to dispose of unused medications safely.
WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2023
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital – Entrance A
Follow the signs and stay in your car for convenient drive through drop off
11375 Cortez Boulevard
Brooksville, Florida 34613
Please place pills in plastic bags and remove any personal health information from the pill bottles.
Please call Debra McKell at 727-902-3582 for more information.
Photo: The Hernando County Sheriff’s Department and HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital collected 56.8 pounds of unused or expired medications at the hospital collection site last year.
About HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital
HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital has been serving the Nature Coast since 1984 and is the largest private employer and largest hospital in Hernando County, with 350 beds. The facility offers Hernando County’s only heart surgery program. Other key services include the maternity suites, neonatal intensive care, women’s imaging, cancer care, orthopedics and spine services. HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital’s health care delivery team is comprised of more than 600 physicians, 1,800 caregivers and more than 100 volunteers. The hospital is a statutory teaching hospital training the next generation of physicians. For more information, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices and freestanding emergency rooms. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and more than 79,000 colleagues working together to deliver advanced, collaborative care to more than 8.6 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provided $848.8 million in uncompensated care and invested significantly in innovative technologies and facilities across Florida, including the new $360 million state-of-the-art, multi-specialty HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie, Fla. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
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