CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Working in tandem, JHCA Florida Memorial Hospital and HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital will host “Crush the Crisis” on Saturday, October 29, a day designated by America’s Drug Enforcement Adminsitration (DEA) as National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., individuals can safely discard unused and/or expired medications. The DEA holds Take Back Days twice a year - the last Saturday in October and the last Saturday in April.
According to a recent press release, the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office and Clay County Police Department will collect 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. Needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.
The day is also designed to raise awareness of the dangers of opiod misuse and abuse.
“We have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of drug misuse and abuse,” said Dr. Bradley Shumaker, Chief Medical Officer of Orange Park Hospital. “As a leading healthcare provider in Northeast Florida we believe it is vital to increase awareness of this important issue and offer our community a safe way to dispose of medications to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.”
“Crush the Crisis” will take place at the following drive-through and drop off locations:
· Memorial Hospital’s Medical Office Building Entrance, 3627 University Blvd S., Jacksonville, FL.
· HCA Florida Park West Emergency, 6477 103rd Street, Jacksonville, FL.
· HCA Florida Middleburg Emergency, 2560 Blanding Blvd. Middleburg, FL.
The Jacksonville VA Clinic is also hosting the Veteran Administration’s (VA) first -ever Take Back Day. MedSafe receptacles will be set up inside the clinic for safe disposal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
According to a recent press release, the VA is aligning with the U.S. DEA encouraging Veterans and civilians to safely dispose of unused and expired medications.
“We are pleased to welcome all members of our community to our facilities for our first-ever public VA Take Back Day,” said Wende Dottor, Interim Executive Health System Director. “It’s important for each of us to clean out our medicine cabinets regularly and to dispose of medications to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our environment.”
Veterans getting VA care can bring expired and unused medications to their VA office for disposal any time by contacting their local VA Police Service or VA Pharmacy.
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