HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital will hold its “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take back event on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to address prescription drug misuse and promote the safe disposal of unused or expired medications. The event coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that national drug overdose deaths fell by nearly 27% in 2024, but prescription drug misuse continues to be a significant public health issue in the United States.
Dr. Bradford Smith, Chief Medical Officer at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, stated: “At HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, caring for Clay County is who we are. Crush the Crisis is more than a one-day event; it’s a reflection of our deep commitment to the community’s health and safety. By giving people a responsible way to dispose of unused or expired medications, we’re taking meaningful steps to support healthier futures.”
This year marks HCA Healthcare’s seventh annual “Crush the Crisis” campaign. Since its launch in 2019, HCA Healthcare has collected over 88,000 pounds of unused or expired medication through these events and aims to reach a total of 100,000 pounds this year.
Law enforcement from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office will oversee collection at the hospital site. Accepted items include tablets, capsules, patches containing opioids such as Hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), Tramadol (Ultram), Codeine, Fentanyl (Duragesic), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Oxymorphone (Opana), as well as ointments, lotions, drops, leak-proof liquid medications, vape cartridges without batteries and pet medication. Needles and syringes will not be accepted.
HCA Healthcare partners with organizations like the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic as part of its strategy against prescription drug misuse.
The organization also analyzes data from about 44 million patient encounters each year to inform care improvements and initiatives aimed at reducing prescription misuse across various healthcare settings.
“Crush the Crisis” will take place at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital located at 2001 Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park. More information can be found at hcahealthcare.com/crushthecrisis or by calling (833) 582-1970.
