SR0580 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0580 LRB097 18163 RPM 63387 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, All citizens of Illinois should be made aware of the ever-present dangers posed by potentially poisonous household substances; and

WHEREAS, Children too often have access to over-the-counter and prescription medications and potentially toxic household products; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 49 years, the nation has been observing National Poison Prevention Month to help prevent accidental poisonings and to provide tips for promoting community involvement in poison prevention; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Poison Center is a mainstay in the emergency medical care system of this State and is recognized nationally for its contributions to poison treatment and prevention; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Poison Center is a key component of the State's bioterrorism readiness network, standing ready to assist the Department of Public Health and local authorities in the event of a biochemical or radiation incident; and

WHEREAS, Fifty percent of the nearly 90,000 poisonings reported last year to the Illinois Poison Center involved children under the age of 6 and could have been prevented; and

WHEREAS, More than 90% of the calls received from the public are treated over the phone, quickly and safely by experienced, highly qualified staff of the Illinois Poison Center; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Poison Center saves this State more than $50,000,000 in unnecessary health care costs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we hereby proclaim March 2012 as Illinois Poison Prevention Month in Illinois and encourage all citizens to learn more about the Illinois Poison Center's prevention programs that alert citizens on the continuous problem of accidental poisonings and steps that can be taken to create healthy and safe home, play, and work environments.