|
This year’s National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) takes place March 19 - 25.
NPPW has been observed every third week in March since it was established in 1961 by Congress to raise awareness of poison prevention and safety while promoting the national Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222). Poisoning is the main cause of unintentional death in the United States. Drug overdoses, caused by pharmaceutical and illicit drugs, are the leading cause of poisoning. Even pets can fall victim to drug poisoning.
From babies to teens, youth are especially vulnerable to accidental drug poisoning, leading to injury and even death. Between 2018 and 2020, the top fatalities and injuries for kids 5 and under were caused by narcotics, hallucinogens, and psychotropic drugs. 79% of the total 61,5000 child poisonings reported between 2018-2020 happened at home. Learn more about the potential dangers that your children face when exposed to various toxic substances and how you can do your part to protect them for NPPW 2023.
Opioids, Psychotropic Drugs & Psychiatric Meds
Opioids are the leading cause of poisoning deaths in young children. Since the mid-2000s, opioid-linked deaths in U.S. children have nearly doubled. Over half the deaths in 1-year-olds (61%) and children aged 2 to 5 (54%) were due to opioid poisoning, as were a third of deaths in infants (34%). Most poisonings involving amphetamines (81%) and cocaine (84%) occurred in infants under one.
| 
