Rochester Organizations Kick Off Poison Prevention Week with Community Safety Message

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — National Poison Prevention Week, observed March 15–21, will kick off in Rochester with a joint news conference hosted by the Upstate New York Poison Center and DePaul’s National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Rochester Area (NCADD-RA). The event will highlight regional poisoning trends, prevention efforts, and the importance of early intervention and community education.

The Upstate New York Poison Center serves 54 counties across New York State, including Monroe County. They provide fast, free, and confidential 24/7 support for poisoning emergencies and questions. Calls are answered by local nurses, pharmacists, and physicians specially trained to treat poisonings.

“A lot of the calls we get involve common medications or products you may have at home. Our Poison Center saw an increase in calls in 2025, which shows how important prevention and education continue to be,” said Vince Calleo, MD, Medical Director of the Upstate New York Poison Center. “When poisonings do occur, remember to call the Poison Center so we can help keep you or a loved one safe.”

The Upstate New York Poison Center managed 4,239 human exposure cases from Monroe County in 2025.

• Young children remain most at risk, with more than 1,600 exposures involving ages 0 to 5.

• Most poison exposures in Monroe County happen at home, reinforcing the need for safe storage and prevention education.

• Common exposure substances include pain relievers, alcohol, and antihistamines.

NCADD-RA provides evidence-based substance use prevention services in Rochester/Monroe County through education, community awareness presentations, professional training, advocacy, and referral resources. The organization works with schools, families, coalitions, and community partners to reduce harm, increase awareness of the risks that surround addiction, and implement effective prevention strategies.

“Prevention happens when communities work together and share trusted information,” said Jennifer Faringer, MS Ed., CPP-G, director of DePaul’s NCADD-RA. “Partnering with the poison center allows us to bring prevention messages, education, and local data directly to the community and help people know where to turn for support.” NCADD-RA offers both education and a variety of medication safety tools to reduce harm, including medication lock boxes, disposal pouches, and Narcan® kits.”

Save the Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, in your phone to reach poison experts quickly. For resources or to request an NCADD- RA presentation, visit www.ncadd-ra.org.

Going Red

As part of National Poison Prevention Week, buildings at the University of Rochester Medical Center will be illuminated red on Monday, March 16, to help raise awareness about poison prevention.