GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — President Donald Trump has proclaimed March 17, 2019, through March 23, 2019, as "National Poison Prevention Week."
It's all about raising awareness about the reality of unintentional poisoning in America.
Lawmakers started the initiative on September 26, 1961, to encourage all Americans to get involved in preventing unintentional poisoning deaths.
Statistics show more than 90-percent of accidental poisonings happen in the home.
Children are particularly vulnerable when it comes to accidental poisoning injuries and deaths.
In fact, each year, an average of 85,000 children visit emergency rooms to receive care after exposure to poison.
The opioid crisis in the U.S. has only added to the number of unintentional poisoning deaths.
President Trump is calling on 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."
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office is partnering with Safe Kids North Carolina to hold an "Operation Medicine Drop."
The public is encouraged to get rid of all unwanted or unused prescriptions.
If you plan on participating in the "Drug Take Back" event, make sure you put your medication in a zip-lock bag or original container.
Deputies will be on hand at each event to dispose of the medication properly.
The Take Back initiative will be held at the following locations during National Poison Prevention Week:
- Drug Take Back Event One:
- Monday, March 18th
- Northern Guilford HS
- 7101 Spencer Dixon Rd
- Greensboro, NC
- 4:30 pm-7:30 pm
- Drug Take Back Event Two:
- Thursday, March 21st
- Pleasant Garden Pharmacy
- 4822 Pleasant Garden Rd
- Pleasant Garden, NC
- 10:00 am-1:00 pm
- Drug Take Back Event Three:
- Saturday, March 23rd
- Gibson Park
- 5207 W Wendover Av
- Jamestown, NC
- 10:00 am-2:00 pm