TRENTON -- New Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy, M.D. will be joined by members of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) to promote life-saving information to local area pre-schoolers as part of National Poison Prevention Week (March 21-27).

 

The event will take place on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. at Millhill Child and Family Development Corporation, located at 101-A Oakland Street in Trenton.

 

In support of this year’s national theme, “Children Act Fast … So Do Poisons,” Kathy Ankrah, a health educator for NJ PIES, will present an educational video geared towards pre-schoolers titled “Spike’s Poison Adventure.”  Dr. Lacy will also speak on the importance of poison prevention week and offer advice to parents and educators on preventing potential hazards.  Bruce Ruck, a pharmacist and the Director of Drug Information and Professional Education at NJPIES, will provide information on the services NJPIES offers to prevent serious poison-related injuries and deaths.

 

Most preventable poisonings occur at home and young children are the most frequent victims.  Nationally, more than two million poisonings occur each year and more than 30 children under age five die of poisoning each year.  In an effort to prevent such tragedies, “National Poison Prevention Week” was established by Congress in 1961.

 

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