(CINCINNATI) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today kicked off National Poison Prevention Week, which runs from March 20–26, with a visit to the Drug and Poison Information Center at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati.
"There is something wrong in this state when four Ohioans a day are dying every single day from unintentional drug overdoses," said Attorney General DeWine. "More Ohioans are dying today of drug poisonings than in car accidents."
Attorney General DeWine's concerns about poison prevention are long-standing, having written the law to establish the National Poison Control Center Hotline, 1-800-222-1222, when he was in the U.S. Senate.
In an effort to help prevent accidental poisonings and overdoses, Attorney General Mike DeWine also announced that his office will be participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 30, 2011. Organized by the national Drug Enforcement Agency, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, National Prescription Take-Back Day is an opportunity to dispose of unused and unwanted prescription drugs. For additional information, visit www.NationalTakeBackDay.com to find a local location where prescription drugs can be properly disposed of that day.
In addition, to help protect Ohio families, the DeWine's office has produced a pamphlet with valuable information about what can be done to keep everyone, especially children and the elderly, safe from prescription drug poisonings. The pamphlet can be obtained by visiting the Ohio Attorney General's Office website at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
"Part of the rise in unintentional drug overdoses is due to the prescription drug abuse crisis that is plaguing Ohio," said DeWine. "By helping Ohioans dispose of prescription drugs safely, we can get these powerful drugs out of medicine cabinets and prevent them from potentially falling into the wrong hands."
As attorney general, he recently beefed up training for investigations and the training of law enforcement personnel to combat prescription drug abuse. DeWine also appointed former Adams County Prosecutor Aaron Haslam to be the state's point person for prosecutors and local law enforcement fighting prescription drug abuse. In addition, DeWine and representatives from more than 10 state and local agencies joined in the executions of search warrants in Portsmouth and Plymouth for evidence of possible prescription drug abuse last week.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Mark Moretti: 614-466-3840