GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals across North Central Florida collected 255 pounds of unused and expired medications during Crush the Crisis prescription drug take back events held Saturday, Oct. 24. The community-wide effort, held in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, provided residents with a safe, convenient and anonymous way to dispose of unwanted medications and help prevent prescription drug misuse.
The three participating hospitals collected:
- HCA Florida Lake City Hospital: 150 pounds
- HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital: 53 pounds
- HCA Florida Putnam Hospital: 52 pounds
The drive-thru collection events took place at HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital, HCA Florida Lake City Hospital and the Walmart in Palatka in partnership with HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. Community members dropped off unused and expired medications, helping reduce the risk of accidental ingestion, prescription drug misuse and improper disposal.
“Collecting more than 250 pounds of unused and expired medications is a tremendous example of what we can accomplish when our hospitals, law enforcement partners and communities come together,” said Alex Gumiroff, M.D., chief medical officer of HCA Florida North Florida Hospital and HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital. “Every medication safely disposed of is one less opportunity for misuse or accidental harm. We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to participate in Crush the Crisis and help make North Central Florida a safer, healthier place to live.”
The local events were part of HCA Healthcare’s eighth annual national Crush the Crisis campaign, held in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Since 2019, HCA Healthcare has helped safely dispose of more than 108,500 pounds of unused or expired medication through Crush the Crisis collections held at hospitals and facilities across the country, prior to this year’s events.
According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 7.2 million people age 12 or older misused prescription pain relievers in 2025. While Florida has seen a significant decline in fatal drug overdoses, prescription drug misuse remains a serious public health concern. Florida recorded 5,501 fatal drug overdoses in 2024, including 3,820 opioid overdose deaths, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Beyond its annual medication collection events, HCA Healthcare continues working to reduce prescription drug misuse and improve pain management. Using data from approximately 47 million annual patient encounters, the organization supports initiatives such as Enhanced Surgical Recovery, which helps reduce opioid use through comprehensive pain management strategies, and Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances, which promotes safer prescribing practices.
HCA Florida Healthcare extends its appreciation to local law enforcement partners, hospital colleagues and community members who helped make this year’s events a success. For more information about Crush the Crisis and safe prescription drug disposal, visit HCAhealthcare.com/crushthecrisis or call (833) 582-1970.