‘Crush the Crisis’ of drug misuse on Saturday’s Take Back Day

  • “Crush the Crisis” coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA)’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a chance for the community to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
    “Crush the Crisis” coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA)’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a chance for the community to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
  • “Crush the Crisis” coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA)’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a chance for the community to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
    “Crush the Crisis” coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA)’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a chance for the community to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.

    Law enforcement and local hospitals will partner Saturday to encourage the safe disposal of unused or expired medication.

    It’s all part of the fifth annual “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take back day to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse, and allow for the safe disposal of unused and expired medication.

    “Crush the Crisis” coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA)’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a chance for the community to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.

    Locally, HCA Florida Hospitals in Kissimmee (Osceola Hospital, on Oak Street) and Poinciana Hospital on Cypress Parkway, as well as the UCF Lake Nona Hospital, will accept the unwanted medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Sam's Club at 4763 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. in Kissimmee is also participating, and St. Cloud Police will be collecting at their station as well as the Save-A-Lot and Prescriptions Unlimited on 13th Street

    Law enforcement officers across Central Florida will be collecting, among other medications, 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 leakproof containers) and vape cartridges (without batteries) and pet medications will also be accepted.

    Needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.

    Last year, facilities across 17 states 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.