Hotline
The New Jersey Poison Center provides free poison consultation and drug information through its Poison Help Hotline (800-222-1222). When calling the hotline, callers reach specially-trained health care professionals—nurses, pharmacists, and doctors—who can provide help with poison emergencies or answer questions ranging from drug information and medication use to breastfeeding. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Not calling from New Jersey? The Poison Help Hotline is a national number which connects the caller to the closest poison control center. All services are free and confidential. NJPIES’ specialists assist callers of all ages as well as those who speak languages other than English, and those who are hearing impaired. Language is never an issue, translators are always available through our language line. No question is too small and most cases can be resolved over the phone, usually avoiding an expensive, unnecessary trip to the emergency room.
Surveillance
Our poison control center is equipped with a comprehensive poisoning surveillance data system that can detect public health threats/outbreaks in real-time as they emerge in New Jersey. Our center, along with all U.S. Poison Control Centers, uploads data to the National Poison Data System (NPDS) every eight minutes. This allows NPDS to provide the only real-time snapshot of poison call conditions nationwide. As a safeguard in instances of food poisoning, adverse drug reactions, drug tampering, and other outbreaks, NJPIES notified local and state agencies, the media, and the public of potential health threats.
Professional and Public Education
We are committed to improving the health of New Jersey’s residents by reducing the impact of poison and drug exposures. Our public educational outreach to communities and organizations across the state’s 21 counties is a valuable resource on a wide range of topics including medication safety, food safety, household cleaning products, carbon monoxide poisoning, and drug overdose. We also conduct extensive professional education to nursing, pharmacy, and medical training programs throughout the state.