GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - HCA facilities in North Central Florida collected 277 pounds of prescription drug take-backs for its 7th annual ‘Crush the Crisis’ on Saturday.

Crush the Crisis is a national initiative by HCA Healthcare, partnered with the DEA, to dispose of unused or expired medication to prevent misuse and addiction.

Law enforcement officers collected tablets, capsules, patches, ointments, lotions, drops, liquid medication (in leak-proof containers), and vape cartridges (without batteries). Pet medications were also accepted.

HCA Florida Putnam Hospital collected 129 pounds, HCA Florida Gainesville Emergency collected 82 pounds and HCA Florida Lake City Hospital collected 66 pounds.

All the medication collected will be sent to the DEA for disposal.

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