Wichita, KS – Wesley Healthcare is hosting its 3rd 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 event, which aligns with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, will take place on October 23, 2021 at Wesley Medical Center.
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% 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.
Wesley Medical Center is 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 the various 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:
Wesley Healthcare colleagues, including doctors, nurses and staff, and members of our local law enforcement agencies invite community members to safely dispose of unused medications.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 23, 2021 | 10 AM – 2 PM
WHERE:
Wesley Medical Center
500 N Hillside
LOCATION: Main Entrance off Hillside
Please call Scott Evans at 316.364.0819 for more information.
Wesley Healthcare is the region’s leading acute-care hospital network providing a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for patients throughout Kansas and northern Oklahoma since 1912. As a leader in Overall Recommended Care in national surveys, Wesley Medical Center treats more than 30,000 patients annually and delivers more than 5,000 babies – more than any hospital in a 13-state region. Wesley provides the most extensive emergency network in Wichita, with Wesley ER, Wesley West ER, Wesley Woodlawn ER and Wesley Derby ER, as well as the region’s only pediatric ER. Wesley owns and operates Wesley Medical Center, Wesley Woodlawn Hospital & ER and Wesley Children’s Hospital. HCA Healthcare’s Continental Division, which includes Wesley Healthcare, is ranked among the top five large hospital systems in the United States by IBM Watson Health as part of the 15 Top Health Care Systems recognition process. To learn more, visit www.wesleymc.com.