This weekend Los Robles Health System hosted “Crush the Crisis,” a prescription drug take back day to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications. The collection site at Los Robles Hospital collected 290 pounds of expired and unused medications.
Prescription drug misuse remains a public health crisis in the United States. Research shows a significant number of drug addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused medications from family and friends.
The event, which coincided with the Drug Enforcement Agencies (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offered the community an opportunity to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
The event aims to educate the community on the risk of prescription drug misuse while providing a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
Los Robles Health System’s participation was part of HCA Healthcare’s seventh annual national “Crush the Crisis” prescription take back day. Last year, Los Robles Health System, with the support of Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, collected 192.6 pounds.