Drug-Related Poisoning The Cause For Nearly 700,000 Emergency Department Visits a Year, According to New Research

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — New visits
for drug-related poisoning in the United States continue to rise;
therefore, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and
the American Association of Poison Control Centers are raising
awareness about the dangers of drug poisoning as part of Poison
Prevention Week (March 20-26).   In addition, ACEP sent a
letter to members of Congress urging them to continue allocating
more than $29 million in funding for the 57 poison control centers
that serve the nation 24 hours per day, year-round.

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“People are abusing prescription drugs and over-the counter
drugs, and it’s a serious and growing problem,” said Dr. Sandra
Schneider, president of ACEP.  “Very young children had the
highest rate of unintentional drug poisoning, which is a wake-up
call for parents to make sure their medicines are out of
reach.”

Drug-related poisoning deaths are second only to motor vehicle
crashes among the leading causes of injury death, according to the
study, which was published in The American Journal of Emergency
Medicine.

“Emergency physicians and poison centers are natural partners in
reducing the tragic toll of poisoning in the United States,” said
Dr. Richard Dart, President of the American Association of Poison
Control Centers. “Nearly 75 percent of all poison exposures treated
by poison centers can be handled at home. Poison center save over
$7 for every $1 spent in state and federal funding.  We are
happy to partner with ACEP to increase outreach on this very
pressing public health issue.”

Facts about Drug Poisoning:

• An estimated

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