AR99

An Assembly Resolution declaring the week of March 17 through March 23, 2013 as "Poison Prevention Awareness Week."

Whereas, More than two million poisonings are reported yearly across the United States and more than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home; and

Whereas, According to a 2011 report from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, nearly half of all poisonings involve children under six years of age; and

Whereas, Poisoning remains a leading cause of death among adults; and

Whereas, The majority of poisoning deaths occur in adults aged 20 to 59; and

Whereas, On September 16, 1961, Congress established "National Poison Prevention Week" and shortly thereafter the Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate the annual event; and

Whereas, "National Poison Prevention Week" is observed annually during the third week in March to promote public education on identifying poisoning hazards and preventing poisoning emergencies; and

Whereas, If used properly, most consumer products pose no hazard to human health, but if used incorrectly, many common household products, such as pain medicines and cleaning products, can become poisonous; and

Whereas, Most poison exposures happen unintentionally, and only 16% of all poisonings occur from an intentional overdose or misuse of a product or substance; and

Whereas, Across the United States, 57 poison control centers operate to assist the public with poison emergencies and to respond to questions about poison prevention and exposure to poisons; and

Whereas, A state-of-the-art poison control center, the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, housed at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, operates in this State, and provides free poison consultation, drug information, and poison prevention education to New Jersey residents through the 1-800-222-1222 Poison Help Hotline, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Poison Information and Education System promotes "National Poison Prevention Week” to underscore its commitment to protecting State citizen from potentially harmful poisonings; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House declares the week of March 17 through March 23, 2013 as "Poison Prevention Awareness Week" in the State of New Jersey, to promote public awareness about the about the dangers of unintentional poisonings, to educate citizens to prevent unintentional poisonings from occurring, and increase awareness of the poisoning prevention and treatment services provided by the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System.

2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Poison Prevention Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs.

3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Commissioner of Health and the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System.

STATEMENT

This resolution declares the week of March 17 through March 23, 2013 as "Poison Prevention Awareness Week" in the State of New Jersey to promote public awareness about the about the dangers of unintentional poisonings, to educate citizens to prevent unintentional poisonings from occurring, and increase awareness of the poisoning prevention and treatment services provided by the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System.