In September 1961, President John F. Kennedy designated the third week of March as National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW). During NPPW, organizations around the nation coordinate activities to increase awareness of the dangers of accidental poisonings and teach the importance of poison prevention in the home and the community.
The 48th annual National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) weeklong celebrations focused on two themes – Children act fast…so do poisons and Poisonings span a lifetime. Florida/USVI Poison Information Center – Jacksonville (FPIC/Jax), part of the Florida Poison Information Center Network (FPICN), coordinated activities, provided educational programs and distributed a variety of literature throughout the northern and eastern coastal counties of Florida during the week of March 15, 2009. Twenty-nine sponsoring partners donated almost $19,000 in gifts, prizes, services and free publicity.
Regional elementary and middle school students participated in a poster contest sponsored by the FPIC/Jax. Two age groups comprised of 46 students competed, with top winners in each group automatically entered in the national contest. The top winners in each age category were recognized at an awards ceremony held March 17, 2009 on the Shands Jacksonville and University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville campus. Robert C. Nuss, M.D., dean of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville regional campus and associate vice president for health affairs presented the awards.
The center, directed by Jay L. Schauben, Pharm D, courtesy professor, department of emergency medicine at University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) as a regional poison center. FPIC/Jax is a cooperative effort between the University of Florida College of Medicine, Shands Jacksonville, the University of Florida Health Science Center – Jacksonville and the Children’s Medical Services, State of Florida Department of Health.