Memorial Health will host a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, from 8 – 11 AM. All expired and unused medications including tablets, capsules and patches will be accepted. Liquids, needles, syringes, lancets, inhalers and aerosols will also be accepted. Our collection site will be conveniently located across from the hospital main entrance at 4700 Waters Avenue and will be drive-thru only so individuals do not have to get out of their car. Due to the pandemic, please wear a mask when dropping off your medications. 

The goal of this event is to raise awareness about the proper disposal of medications and the dangers of opioid misuse. It aligns with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and invites community members to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired prescription medications.

 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. suffered from an opioid use disorder and more than 67,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2018. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the U.S. is seeing an increase in opioid usage, with 40 states reporting increases in opioid-related mortality, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). 

“Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may be exacerbating the opioid crisis by causing many Americans to have feelings of anxiety, grief, isolation, financial worry, and an ongoing sense of uncertainty, affecting those with substance use disorders as well as those at risk of developing one,” said Dr. Jay Goldstein, medical director for emergency services. “It’s more important than ever to get unused pain medications out of homes and to educate the community about the serious threat of opioid misuse.” 

Memorial Health’s drug take back event is part of HCA Healthcare’s second annual national “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day. In fall 2019, 100 HCA Healthcare facilities in 16 states collected 5,887 pounds of unused and expired medications at nationwide drug take back events; the Savannah event collected 441 pounds of medications.

For more information, visit hcahealthcare.com/crushthecrisis or call toll free number at (833) 582-1970.