Parkridge Health System announced Tuesday that it is hosting its annual “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take back day on Saturday, Oct. 26, to help raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications.
The event, which coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offers the community an opportunity to safely and anonymously dispose of medications before they fall into the wrong hands.
Last year – for the first time since 2018 – there was a decrease in national drug overdose deaths in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, prescription drug misuse remains a public health crisis in the United States. Locally, there were more than 3,800 drug overdose deaths in Tennessee in 2022, according to the CDC.
“Crush the Crisis gives our community a vital opportunity to actively address drug misuse,” said Walter Kerschl, MD, chief medical officer for Parkridge Health System. “By providing a safe and anonymous way to dispose of unused medications, we are not only reducing the risk of misuse but also preventing potential harm. Together, we are helping to create a healthier, safer future for everyone in our community.”
Law enforcement officers 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, liquid medication in leak-proof containers, vape cartridges without batteries and pet medication will also be accepted. Any medications will be accepted; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.
“Crush the Crisis” will be held at Parkridge Medical Center located at 2333 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37404 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on October 26.
For more information, visit hcahealthcare.com/crushthecrisis.
About Parkridge Health System
Parkridge Health System includes Parkridge Medical Center, Parkridge East Hospital, Parkridge West Hospital, Parkridge North ER, Parkridge Camp Jordan ER, Parkridge Soddy-Daisy ER, Parkridge Valley Adult & Senior and Parkridge Valley Child & Adolescent campuses. Parkridge Health is an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. To learn more, visit ParkridgeHealth.com or contact MedLine at (423) 622-6848.
