[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 12243-12244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05875]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 12243]]

                Proclamation 9706 of March 16, 2018

                
National Poison Prevention Week, 2018

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Poisoning remains the leading cause of injury death in 
                the United States. By taking the proper precautions and 
                preparing for emergency situations, however, we can 
                ensure our families and our communities avoid poisoning 
                tragedies. During National Poison Prevention Week, we 
                strive to reduce the frequency of poisoning deaths and 
                educate ourselves about how to prevent accidental 
                poisoning.

                Since 2000, the rate of accidental drug-poisoning 
                deaths has more than quadrupled. Accidental poisoning 
                due to drug overdose has taken immense tolls on 
                families all across the country, and synthetic opioids 
                continue to push the death count higher. In 2016 alone, 
                we lost 116 people per day from opioid-related drug 
                overdoses.

                To address this devastating epidemic, I have mobilized 
                my entire Administration to combat drug addiction and 
                opioid abuse. In October 2017, my Administration 
                declared the opioid addiction crisis a national public 
                health emergency. My 2018 Budget proposes $3 billion in 
                new funding this year to combat the opioid epidemic, 
                including through providing additional support for 
                mental health initiatives.

                My Administration has also led multiple national ``Take 
                Back Day'' events, during which Americans have had the 
                opportunity to safely dispose of unneeded prescription 
                medications, preventing them from falling into the 
                wrong hands. During the most recent event last October, 
                the Drug Enforcement Administration collected 456 tons 
                of prescription drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 
                collection sites. We will continue to champion these 
                initiatives, which help prevent future tragedies from 
                accidental poisonings and drug overdoses.

                This week, and every week, we warn all Americans about 
                unintended exposure to poisons, so that we can reduce 
                risks and prevent injuries and lost lives. We all can 
                do our part by ensuring the products we bring into our 
                homes, including medications, cleaning supplies, 
                laundry detergents, small batteries, and other 
                chemicals, are stored out of sight and out of reach of 
                children. Accidental poisonings are preventable, and we 
                must recommit ourselves to taking the necessary actions 
                to protect our families, and improve the health, well-
                being, and prosperity of our Nation as a whole.

                To encourage Americans to learn more about the dangers 
                of unintentional poisonings and to take appropriate 
                preventative measures, on September 26, 1961, the 
                Congress, by joint resolution (75 Stat. 681), 
                authorized and requested the President to issue a 
                proclamation designating the third week of March each 
                year as ``National Poison Prevention Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 18, 
                2018, through March 24, 2018, to be National Poison 
                Prevention Week. I call upon all Americans to observe 
                this week by taking actions to safeguard their families 
                from poisonous products, chemicals, and medicines, and 
                drugs found in our homes, and to raise awareness of 
                these dangers in order to prevent accidental injuries 
                and deaths.

[[Page 12244]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                second.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2018-05875
Filed 3-20-18; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F8-P