"Crush the Crisis" prescription drug take back day hosted by HCA HealthONE
Denver, CO — HCA HealthONE is hosting its 7th annual “Crush the Crisis” 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, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The event, which coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offers the community an opportunity to safely and anonymously dispose of medications that may be left over from previous procedures or other medical visits.
Why:
National drug overdose deaths decreased by nearly 27% in 2024, however, prescription drug misuse remains a public health crisis in the United States. In Colorado alone, the state's overall number of overdose deaths fell by 15.7% in 2024.
Research shows a significant number of drug addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused medications from family and friends.
What:
Crush the Crisis — Prescription drug take back day
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.
HCA HealthONE is participating as part of HCA Healthcare’s seventh annual national “Crush the Crisis” prescription take back day. Since 2019, HCA Healthcare has helped safely dispose of more than 88,000 pounds of unused or expired medication. The journey continues this year as the Company continues on the road to 100,000 pounds of collected medication. HCA HealthONE hospitals in the Denver-metro area collected more than 2,800 pounds last year alone.
Law enforcement officers 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). Ointments, lotions, drops, liquid medication (in leak-proof containers) and vape cartridges (without batteries) and pet medications will also be accepted.
Any medications are accepted; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.
Who:
HCA HealthONE colleagues, including doctors, nurses and staff, and members of local law enforcement invite community members to dispose of unused medications safely.
When:
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Where:
HCA HealthONE Aurora
1501 S. Potomac Street, Aurora (collection area located in the parking lot north of the hospital on Potomac St. between E. Arkansas Dr. and E. Louisiana Ave.)
HCA HealthONE Centennial
@Arapahoe County Sheriff, 13101 E. Bronco’s Pkwy, Centennial
(follow event signs to the drive-thru drop-off)
HCA HealthONE Central Park ER
49030 N. Wabash St, Denver (follow event signs to the drive-thru drop-off)
HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge
@The Fossil Ridge Public Safety Building, 13150 Quebec St, Thornton
@Thornton Fire Dept. Station 1, 2300 Thornton Pkwy, Thornton
HCA HealthONE Rose
4567 E. 9th Ave, Denver (collection area located at the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation entrance off 9th and Clermont)
HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge
10101 RidgeGate Parkway, Lone Tree (collection area at the patient discharge area on the southeast side of the campus, near the Emergency Department)
HCA HealthONE South Parker ER
12223 Pine Bluffs Way, Parker 80134 (collection area at the corner or Parker And Hess Roads)
HCA HealthONE Swedish
501 E. Hampden, Englewood (collection area near Emergency Dept at Girard Ave and Pennsylvania St.)
Please contact Stephanie Sullivan at (303) 990-3582 for more information.