Opioid takeback: How you can get rid of unused, expired prescription

HOUSTON – Several Houston-area facilities are participating in HCA Healthcare's "Crush the Crisis" opioid takeback event Sept. 21. 

The opioid epidemic was declared a public health emergency across the nation by President Donald Trump in 2018. More than 130 people in the U.S. die from opioid-related drug overdoses daily. Health officials said most cases of abuse starts when drugs are obtained from a friend or family member's medicine cabinet. 

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Volunteers and hospital staff from several local health care facilities are partnering with local law enforcement to raise awareness about opioid addiction and help collect unused and expired prescriptions. 

The following tablets, capsules and patches will be accepted: hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin), oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), tramadol (Ultram), codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic), morphine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxymorphone (Opana). 

The following items not accepted: needles, syringes, lancets, inhalers and liquids. 

Below is a list of participating health care facilities in the Houston area: 

- HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center - Houston, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress - Cypress, TX
(Note: Tak back event will be hosted 9/21)

- HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest - Houston, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland - Pearland, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast - Pasadena, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball - Tomball, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- HCA Houston Healthcare West - Houston, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- Texas Orthopedic Hospital - Houston, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- University of Houston - Sugar Land, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- Woman's Health - The Heights - Houston, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)

- Corpus Christi Medical Center - Doctors Regional - Corpus Christi, TX
(Note: Take back event will be hosted 9/21) 

- HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake - Webster, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21) 

- HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe - Conroe, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21) 

- HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood - Kingwood, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21) 

- HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland - Texas City, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21) 

- Valley Regional Medical Center - Brownsville, TX
(Note: Takeback event will be hosted 9/21)


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