[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9850 of March 15, 2019

National Poison Prevention Week, 2019

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During National Poison Prevention Week, we raise awareness about the
reality of unintentional poisoning in America, and we recommit to
educating all Americans about how best to prevent tragedy from striking
our loved ones and our communities. More than 90 percent of accidental
poisonings occur in the home, and children are particularly vulnerable.
Each year, an average of 85,000 children visit emergency rooms across
our Nation to receive care after exposure to poison. We all share a
responsibility to keep harmful items, including dangerous medications,
cosmetics, household cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, pesticides,
and batteries, out of sight and out of the reach of chil

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dren. ``Take Back Day'' events, which encourage Americans to dispose of
potentially harmful medications, among other substances, are also great
opportunities for Americans to participate in the broader effort to
reduce the number of accidental poisonings in our country.
Tragically, our Nation's opioid epidemic has only added to the number of
unintentional poisoning deaths. To address this growing crisis, I
announced my Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse, which is aimed at reducing
the demand for drugs through education, awareness, and preventing over-
prescription. My Administration has also worked with the Congress to
secure more than $6 billion in funding to help combat the drug abuse and
opioid epidemic through prevention, treatment and recovery services,
interdiction, and law enforcement efforts. Additionally, I signed into
law the SUPPORT Act, the largest legislative effort in history to
address a single drug crisis. This legislation enhances patient access
to non-opioid treatment options, increases access to drug disposal, and
provides support for those caring for babies prenatally exposed to
drugs.
Data from the Monitoring the Future study and the National Survey on
Drug Use and Health indicate that the misuse of opioid medications among
youth has declined in recent years. These encouraging findings are a
sign that real progress is being made to educate our young people on the
dangers of prescription drug misuse. Much work remains to be done,
however, to address the misuse of prescription opioids and the use of
illegal drugs in our communities. All Americans, both young and old,
should familiarize themselves with safe practices for prescription drug
use and should apply these important practices to their daily routines.
This week, and always, I implore all Americans to remain vigilant in
protecting themselves and their families from unintended exposure to
poisons, and to take the steps necessary to reduce the availability of
potentially harmful substances. By making prevention a priority, we can
help avoid the devastating consequences often caused by unintentional
poisonings and drug overdoses.
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 17, 2019, through March 23, 2019, 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, medicines, and drugs found in their homes, and to
raise awareness about these dangers in order to prevent accidental
injuries and deaths.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
third.
DONALD J. TRUMP