Rapides Regional partners with RPSO, KALB to 'Crush the Crisis' at Mac's

Rapides Regional Medical Center is partnering with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and KALB to host its third “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take back day. This year, we are hosting the event on Friday, Oct. 24 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Mac’s Fresh Markets on Jackson Street in Alexandria and on the Shreveport Highway in Tioga.

Crush the Crisis helps raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications. This annual event coincides with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and offers the community an opportunity to safely and anonymously dispose of medications before they fall into the wrong hands. 

“Crush the Crisis prescription take back day is an event we look forward to each year,” said Danielle Bryant, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “It is a safe and anonymous way to dispose of medications and reduce the risk of misuse and prevent potential harm. 

“Thanks to our wonderful partners in the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, KALB and Mac’s Fresh Market, we are helping create a healthier environment for the people who live and work in our community.” 

The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America, according to the DEA. The majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs get them family and friends, as well as the home medicine cabinet.

Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies 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, vape cartridges without batteries and pet medication will also be accepted. Any medications will be accepted; however, needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted.

“The misuse of prescription drugs is a community-wide problem, and it is going to take everyone in our community to solve this,” said Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood. “We are excited to have Mac’s Fresh Market and KALB join us and Rapides Regional Medical Center in working together to properly dispose of prescription drugs. 

“Each year, we collect more medications that are no longer needed, so we know the need is great for this type of event and to keep prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands and causing overdoses and addictions.” 

After collecting more than 230 pounds of prescription medication last year, RPSO and Rapides Regional Medical Center are aiming to collect 500 pounds during this year’s Crush the Crisis.