| Related Organizations and Resources on Poison Prevention |
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| National Poison Prevention Week |
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This week is National Poison Prevention Week (March 16-23).
The observance is organized each year by the National Poison Prevention Week Council, a coalition of national organizations working to highlight the dangers of poisoning and its prevention.
Quick Facts:
- During 1999--2005, unintentional poisoning death rates increased by 80%, largely because of increases in recreational drug overdoses among adults
- U.S. poison-control centers reported an estimated 2.3 million exposures to poisonous substances during 2006
- Approximately 93% of these exposures occurred at a residence, and nearly half occurred in children aged <6 years
- Poisonous agents most often implicated in pediatric exposures include cosmetics, personal-care products, cleaning substances, analgesics, cough and cold preparations, and other products usually found in the home.
Source:
CDC. Unintentional poisoning deaths---United States, 1999--2004. MMWR 2007;56:93--6.
Bronstein AC, Spyker DA, Cantilena LR, Green G, Rumack BH, Heard SE. 2006 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS). Clinical Toxicology 2007;45:815--917.
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| Partner Spotlight: HRSA Poison Control Program |
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Poison Control Centers
- For every dollar spent on Poison Control Center services, $7 is saved in medical spending.
- Medical costs savings occur because treatment guidance for the majority of poison exposures (over 70%) can be provided over the phone, therefore reducing emergency room visits, ambulance use and hospital admissions.
The HRSA Poison Control Program provides:
- Funding to stabilize and improve poison control centers across the U.S.
- Programs to support the enhancement and improvement of poison education, prevention, and treatment,
- Technical assistance to Poison Control Centers to support strategic planning, collaboration, data collection, media promotion, education outreach and financial stability activities.
- Funding to assist uncertified centers become certified.
For more information and to access archived quarterly newsletters visit: http://www.hrsa.gov/poisoncontrol/default.htm |
| News |
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Increases in Poisoning and Methadone Related Deaths
The vast majority of poisoning deaths are due to unintentional drug overdoses.
 In 2005, poisoning remained the second leading cause of injury death in the United Narcotic-related deaths have played the largest role in the increase in all poisoning deaths from 1999 to 2005 (the years for which data are available). Methadone-related deaths have increased more than other narcotic-related deaths.
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| Resources and Reports |
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Teen Presciption Drug Abuse Toolkit
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The Office of National Drug Control Policy has launched a new effort to educate parents about the risks of teen prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse via national newspaper, magazine, and television ads. A component of the campaign includes "Teen Prescription Drug Abuse: An Emerging Threat," a toolkit created to assist communities in educating their teens. This toolkit can be downloaded at: |
Child Safety Materials
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Poison Prevention Week Council are using National Poison Prevention Week to educate consumers about the dangers associated with unintentional poisonings, most of which occur in the home. From 2002 through 2004, approximately 36 US children under age five died each year after ingesting poisonous substances found in and around the home. For tip sheets on child safety around the home and many additional materials, visit http://www.poisonprevention.org.
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| NACCHO/ASTHO/STIPDA Webcast |
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Materials Available
Drug Overdoses and Unintentional Poisonings:
Health Agencies Respond to an Emerging Epidemic
This webcast focused on the emerging public health crisis of unintentional poisonings and drug overdose deaths. Most often caused by prescription drugs, these overdose deaths have increased nearly 70% since 1999, with 20,000 deaths in 2004 alone. Because of these staggering numbers, as well as the many related pubic health and social problems exacerbated by drug misuse, abuse, and overdose, health officials at the federal, state, and local levels are increasingly taking notice.
This webcast includes presentations from national experts who presented the data and epidemiology of drug misuse, abuse, and overdose; described federal and state heath agency surveillance and prevention initiatives; and highlighted activities and partnerships state and local health agencies can engage in with poison control centers.
To view the slides, visit
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