[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
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

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in our homes, and to raise awareness of these dangers in order to
prevent accidental injuries and deaths.
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.
DONALD J. TRUMP