HCA Florida Northside Hospital, HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital and HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital TO HOST “CRUSH THE CRISIS” PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAK
Hospitals partner with the Pinellas County Sheriff, Pinellas Park Police and St. Petersburg Police departments to encourage the safe disposal of unused or expired medication
MEDIA CONTACT:
Carrie JohnsonHCA Florida Northside Hospital727.742.4140
Ben KirbyHCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital727.310.8582
CRUSH THE CRISIS MEDIA ADVISORY
HCA Florida Northside Hospital, HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital and HCA Florida St. Petersburg HospitalTO HOST “CRUSH THE CRISIS” PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY ON OCTOBER 28
Hospitals partner with the Pinellas County Sheriff, Pinellas Park Police and St. Petersburg Policedepartments to encourage the safe disposal of unused or expired medication
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., October 24, 2023 – HCA Florida Northside Hospital, HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital and HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital are hosting the 5th 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 Northside Hospital, HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital and HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital 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 from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas Park Police Department and St. Petersburg Police 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.
Most medications are accepted; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.
WHO: Hospital employees, including doctors, nurses and staff, and members of law enforcement invite community members to dispose of unused medications safely.
WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2023 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE: Participating collection sites
HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital ER Entrance
1501 Pasadena Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33707
HCA Florida St. Petersburg Entrance off 66th Street
6500 38th Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Walmart Supercenter Pinellas Park
8001 US Highway 19 N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Please call Carrie Johnson, HCA Florida Northside Hospital, at 727.742.4140 or Ben Kirby, HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital, at 727.310.8582 for more information.
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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