Portsmouth, NH — HCA Healthcare Hospitals, including, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital are hosting their annual “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and proper disposal of medications. Community members are invited to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. The events, which align with the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, will take place on Oct. 23, 2021 at the locations listed below.

WHY

Opioid addiction is a national health crisis. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70,630 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019, with more than 70 percent attributed to opioids.

As we better understand the opioid crisis, we learn that a significant number of opioid addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused opioids prescriptions of family and friends.

WHAT:

Crush the Crisis — Opioid Take Back Day

The event aims to educate our communities on the risk of opioid misuse, while providing a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.

HCA New Hampshire's three hospitals are participating as part of HCA Healthcare's third annual national “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day. In October 2020, 95 HCA Healthcare facilities in 18 states collected 13,523 pounds of unused and expired prescription medications at “Crush the Crisis” events around the country.

Law enforcement officers from area police departments 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).

Any medications are accepted, however we will not be able to accept needles, syringes, lancets, inhalers or liquids.

COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place at the event, including masking, social distancing, and appropriate traffic patterns.

WHO:

HCA Healthcare hospitals' employees, including doctors, nurses and staff, and local law enforcement invite community members to safely dispose of unused medications.

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021

WHERE:

Facility Address of Drop Off Location Event Time
Frisbie Memorial Hospital Rochester Police Department
23 Wakefield Street
Rochester, NH 03867
10:00am — 2:00pm.
Parkland Medical Center Derry Police Department
1 Municipal Drive
Derry, NH 03038
10:00am — 2:00pm.
Parkland Medical Center Salem Police Department
9 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Salem, NH 03079
10:00am — 2:00pm.
Portsmouth Regional Hospital 333 Borthwick Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
10:00am — 2:00pm.