[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORTING POISON PREVENTION AND CONTROL CENTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 686, 
which strengthens poison prevention in America and guarantees funding 
for our nation's 74 poison control, information and treatment centers. 
Each year these centers save countless lives, and it is critical that 
we ensure the financial stability and public awareness they need to 
best serve the American people.
  As our nation's primary line of defense against poison-related 
injuries and deaths, these centers provide physicians and the general 
public with direct access to life-saving information. Health care 
professionals rely on these centers for immediate, around-the-clock 
assessments and treatment recommendations for many types of poisonings, 
overdoses and drug interactions affecting people of all ages. Parents 
who find their child has consumed a toxic substance can receive 
immediate professional help with one phone call, any time, day or 
night.
  Over 90 percent of all accidental poisonings take place in the home. 
More than 50 percent of these accidents involve children under the age 
of six, with more than one million young children exposed to toxins 
annually. When a child's life is potentially in danger, parents need to 
know immediately where to go for help. Too often parents are unaware of 
the services provided by poison control centers and turn to costly and 
time-consuming options such as rushing to emergency rooms at distant 
hospitals. In response to this situation, this bill provides for both a 
nationwide toll free number connected to local poison control centers, 
and a new media campaign to call the public's attention to services 
available through this number.
  My home state of Illinois is served by the nation's oldest poison 
control, information and treatment center, the Illinois Poison Center. 
The IPC has expertly served the needs of metropolitan Chicago since 
1953, and handles approximately 100,000 cases throughout the state of 
Illinois each year. In 1985, my state was served by five regional 
poison control centers, but only IPC remains after deep budget cuts 
over the years. We must ensure that our nation's remaining centers 
receive the support they need to continue serving the public.
  Our nation's Poison Control and Information Centers also play a vital 
role in managing public health crises, environmental disasters, and the 
threat of weapons of mass destruction. In July of 2000, the Illinois 
Poison Center was the first to respond to a nitric acid leak at a 
Chicago factory. In December of that same year, the IPC was again the 
first to respond, this time to an anthrax threat at the British-
American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago. And, in August of 2001, the 
IPC responded to a toxic chemical spill on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
  The Illinois Poison Center has developed protocols for response and 
notification of proper governmental agencies when these events occur, 
and it is also a participant in regional disaster drills throughout the 
metropolitan Chicago area. Poison control and information centers like 
the IPC are a critical part of our nation's emergency response and 
disaster preparedness systems.
  Poison centers represent a cost effective investment that benefits 
the public health. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services estimated that every dollar spent on a poison center saves 
seven dollars in unnecessary medical costs.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for 
their hard work on this legislation. This bill is good for the health, 
safety and security of the American people. I strongly encourage my 
colleagues to vote for S. 686.




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