OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information kicks off the 54th Annual National Poison Prevention Week, March 20-26, by reminding the public that while poisoning is the leading cause of injury death in the United States, many poisonings are preventable, and expert help is always just a phone call away.

In honor of this awareness week, the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information Center and the Coalition against Rx Drug Epidemic have teamed up to combat the rapidly growing prescription drug epidemic. In 2015, 70 percent of calls made to the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information Center involved medications.

“Nearly everyone has at least one prescription drug in their home. Properly storing and disposing of your prescription drugs can help prevent abuse and overdoses, increases safety for your family, and is friendly to the environment,” said Laura Brennan, education coordinator with the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information.

Two community events have been scheduled for March; both include a safe place to drop off old, used or expired medications. Both Oklahoma County events will promote poison prevention and provide education regarding the prescription drug epidemic and will include children’s activities, free food and prizes. Please join us and bring your unused or expired medications for safe disposal. No syringes, inhalers or liquids.

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Del City Police Station, 4517 SE 29th St.

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Buy For Less grocery store, 1104 SE 44th, Oklahoma City

For more information on National Poison Prevention Week, visit oklahomapoison.org or preventpoison.org. Individuals and organizations who would like to follow social media content pertaining to National Poison Prevention Week should use and search for the hashtags #NPPW16 and #preventpoison. For more information about prescription drug prevention in central Oklahoma visit wecarxe.org.

Pharmacists and registered nurses at the poison center are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 222-1222. Please do not email the poison center or a member of the poison center staff, as poisoning emergencies are not handled through email.

The Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information is a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy at the OU Health Sciences Center. For more information, visit to oklahomapoison.org.