‘Crush the Crisis’ opioid take-back Oct. 24 at Sarah Cannon

HCA Virginia Hospitals will host “Crush the Crisis,” an opioid drug take-back day, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at hospitals throughout the Central Virginia area. In Henrico County, a "Crush the Crisis" drug take-back collection site will be available at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, 7607 Forest Avenue, allowing members of the community to safely dispose of unused or expired opioid medications.

“Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may be exacerbating the opioid crisis by causing Americans to have feelings of anxiety, grief, social isolation, financial worry, and general uncertainty, all of which can affect those with substance use disorders and those at risk of developing one,” said Dr. Jake O’Shea, chief medical officer of HCA Virginia and HCA Healthcare Capital Division. “Now, more than ever, it’s critically important to get unused pain medications out of homes and to educate the community about the serious threat of opioid misuse and abuse.”

Volunteers 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). Needles, syringes, lancets, or liquids will not be accepted. Law enforcement officers will be on site at each facility to assist with the collection and disposal of unused medications.

In fall 2019, 100 HCA Healthcare facilities in 16 states collected 5,887 pounds of unused and expired medications at nationwide “Crush the Crisis” events. For details about this year’s event, call 833-582-1970.