Today, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA)* released a new report titled, Childhood Poisoning: Safeguarding Young Children from Addictive Substances, which outlines the unacceptably high rates at which young children are exposed to toxic, addictive products. Based on data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) and other sources, this report provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of childhood poisonings - an underestimated consequence of America's current addiction epidemic. In doing so, it also underscores why it is never too early to practice effective prevention.
Over the past decade, increasing numbers of young children have experienced serious consequences from exposure to addictive substances including marijuana edibles, now widely available due to legalization across the U.S.; opioids, currently contributing to the nation's largest addiction crisis in history; and nicotine, also more accessible than ever due to the popularity of e-cigarettes. In 2016 alone, there were 30,520 reports made to poison control centers of young children exposed to addictive substances. These exposures can result in long-term or life-threatening effects such as seizures, respiratory problems and, in extreme cases, death.
"We know from our research that prevention matters and must start in the home and the doctor's office. It is never too early to protect children from the potentially life-threatening harms of addictive substances and addiction," said Creighton Drury, CASA President. "We are committed to getting the word out about important prevention resources that will ultimately contribute to ending our nation's number one public health problem."
Additional key findings related to children age five and younger highlighted in this report include:
- The rate of exposures to marijuana increased by 148 percent over an eight-year period.
- The rate of exposures to prescription opioid pain relievers increased 93 percent each year over a nine-year period corresponding to the opioid epidemic's progression.
- Calls to poison control centers about e-cigarettes increased by more than 1,400 percent over just three years.
- The number of young children exposed to alcoholic beverages has increased every year since 2012.
Fortunately, there is hope: these exposures are easily preventable.
"Our nation is currently experiencing an addiction crisis and children are the youngest victims," said Linda Richter, Ph.D., Director of Policy Research and Analysis at CASA and lead researcher on the report. "Babies and preschoolers should not be getting their hands on nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, heroin or prescription medications. If the recommendations in this report are followed, the number of children exposed to these substances can and should be zero."
Within this report, parents, health care professionals, policymakers, industry and researchers can find concrete guidance for keeping children healthy and safe from accidental poisoning by addictive substances.
"Every day our nation's 55 poison control centers receive calls from people who are concerned that a child they care about has touched or ingested something harmful," said Stephen T. Kaminski, J.D., AAPCC C.E.O. and Executive Director. "The American Association of Poison Control Centers applauds CASA's latest report. It contains vital recommendations for reducing the number of exposures to and poisonings from addictive substances among young children."
Tips outlined in the report include:
FOR PARENTS:
- Storing and disposing of all addictive substances, including prescription medications, properly
- Limiting the amount of addictive products in the home
- Setting a good example for children when it comes to addictive substance use
- Saving the phone number for the poison control center in your phone by calling 1-800-222-1222 or texting POISON to 797979 (the nation's poison control centers are available to help 24/7/365. All calls are answered by poison control specialists and are confidential)
- Calling the poison control c...
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