HCA Florida Blake Hospital and HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital are hosting the annual “Crush the Crisis” national opioid take back day Saturday, October 29, 2022, 9:00 am- Noon. The event helps raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications. It coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and invites the community to safely dispose of unused or expired medication before it may be obtained and misused. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, almost a 15 percent increase from 2020. Law enforcement officers from the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s office 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, vape cartridges (without batteries) and pet medications will also be accepted. Any medications are accepted; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.

HCA Florida Blake Hospital, 2020 59th Street West, Bradenton, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors North Emergency, 8500 SR 70 East, Bradenton.