"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees Recognize Poison Prevention Week

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Unintentional poisoning is second only to motor vehicle crashes as a leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States, and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Native Americans top the list of these unintentional deaths. As an educational effort, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith has declared the week of March 15 – 21 as Poison Prevention Week in the Cherokee Nation.

“Our goal is to work with communities and individuals to promote and improve their health,” Smith said. “Many families are affected each year by unintentional poisonings, and our hope is to keep our homes and businesses safe by preventing some of these acts from occurring.”

As part of the activities for the week, pharmacists from the Cherokee Nation plan to help educate the public about the precautions they should take to help avoid accidental poisonings involving medications.

“Most accidental poisonings happen among our youngest and oldest populations who are dependant on a caregiver,” said Medan Brown, a pharmacist with Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital. “Accidental poisonings can take many shapes, such as when a child thinks medicine is candy or when an elder becomes confused and takes an additional dose of their medicine.”

To prevent accidental poisonings in children, Cherokee Nation pharmacists recommend using original child-resistant containers, always call medicine what it is and not “candy” to get children to take it, keep medicines in a locked cabinet, check expiration dates, and ensure babysitters know what medicine your child is taking and the dosage schedule.

For caregivers of elders, pharmacists recommend using one pharmacy consistently so the patient can avoid possible drug interactions, learn about the medication, keep a journal and note any side effects, give medicine at the same time each day, and keep a list of all medicines.

“Healthcare professionals and caregivers can work together to cerate a solution,” Brown said. “By being active participants in their healthcare, family members and caregivers can be informed on the best ways to prevent an accidental poisoning.”

For more information on using medicine safely, Brown recommends Safe Medication, a consumer website that provides easy-to-understand information on brand-name and generic medications as well as health information, or consulting with your local pharmacist.