Poison Center at UPMC Offers Help for Addictions

December 19th, 2016

The United States is faced with a public health epidemic in the form of opioid overdoses. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, nearly 500,000 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses between 2000 - 2014. In 2015, there were 3,383 unintentional drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania alone, with more deaths projected in 2016.

The Pittsburgh Poison Center of UPMC, birthplace of Mr. Yuk™, has announced enhanced services and resources for individuals, families, and health care providers caring for patients suffering from addiction to substances like prescription opioids, heroin, alcohol, and other drugs. Through this new program, residents and health care providers of any specialty in the 44 counties in Pennsylvania served by the Pittsburgh Poison Center can call 1-800-222-1222 to obtain information and treatment guidance for acute drug toxicity or withdrawal. This resource is provided free of charge and is available 24 hours a day. The Pittsburgh Poison Center at UPMC responds each year to more than 150,000 requests for poison information from the general public and medical professionals.

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