Parkridge Health System, a member of the TriStar Division of HCA, will participate in TriStar's Crush the Crisis day in conjunction with local law enforcement.
On Friday, Sept. 7, the community is invited to drop off unused opioid prescriptions at Parkridge Health System's Crush the Crisis event for the medicine to be disposed of properly with the assistance of the Chattanooga Police Department. The hospital will safely dispose of pain reliever pills, capsules and patches.
According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. In 2016, the Tennessee Department of Health stated that more than 1,600 Tennesseans passed away from drug overdoses - more than suicides, homicides and motor vehicle accidents.
"Through 'Crush the Crisis', we want to raise awareness to the dangers of opioid addiction and promote awareness of proper disposal of prescription medication," said Adam Caputo, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Spine Surgery Associates. "Opioid addiction can happen to anyone, and we are providing this drop-off opportunity confidentially and anonymously."
Crush the Crisis will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Diagnostic Center, which is located at 2205 McCallie Ave., across Lyerly Street from Parkridge Medical Center.