Reston Hospital Center To Host Opioid Drug Take-Back Day

RESTON, VA —In response to the ongoing opioid crisis that is raging across the country, Reston Hospital Center is taking part in a Crush the Crisis event by hosting a opioid drug take-back day.

The drug take-back collection site will be open Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Reston Hospital Center, 1850 Town Center Parkway, Reston. Individuals wishing to participate will be able to drive through the drop-off loop at the rear entrance of Pavilion I.

“Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may be exacerbating the opioid crisis by causing Americans to have feelings of anxiety, grief, social isolation, financial worry, and general uncertainty, all of which can affect those with substance use disorders and those at risk of developing one,” said Dr. Tom Taghon, chief medical officer Reston Hospital Center, in a release. “Now, more than ever, it’s critically important to get unused pain medications out of homes and to educate the community about the serious threat of opioid misuse and abuse.”

During the event, volunteers will be collecting tablets, capsules and patches of the following opioid drugs:

• Hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin)
• Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet)
• Tramadol (Ultram)
• Codeine, Fentanyl (Duragesic)
• Morphine
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Oxymorphone (Opana).

Needles, syringes, lancets, or liquids will not be accepted. Officers from the Fairfax County Police Department will be on hand to help with the collection and the disposal of unused medications.

HCA Healthcare, the parent company of the hospital, is partnering with the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic. The company has committed $500,000 to the Collaborative to develop safer pain management protocols to help reverse the opioid crisis.