The University's Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy, has conducted a series of lectures on poison prevention to students at schools in Nablus area in February and March 2008.  Dr. Ansam Sawalha, Director of the PCDIC, said that lectures do aim at increasing people's awareness of the dangers of poisons, the risks associated with them, and the methods of preventing them.
Dr. Sawalha said that the PCDIC's main goal is to reduce the incidences of accidental poisoning in Palestine especially amongest children. "Most poisoning cases occur at home, and they usually happen to children as a result of many reasons, such as curiosity, ignorance, and unsafe storage of chemicals," Dr. Sawalha added.
The lectures have been conducted as an introductory activity to the "National Poison Prevention Week" which will be organized in the first week of April 2008.  The main theme of the Week will be "children act fast, and so does poison."  Dr Sawalha thanked the staff of the Palestinian Ministry of Education for the help they have kindly provided.
Mr. Sa'ed Zyoud, toxicology information specialist, emphasized the importance of the activities conducted by the PCDIC.  He said that the PCDIC is always prepared and ready to serve all people and sectors in Palestine in order to achieve a poisoning-free society.  Dr. Zyoud also emphasized the importance of joint cooperation between the University and the Palestinian Ministry of Education and other sectors of Palestinian society to achieve better health conditions.  The lectures have been conducted by seniors from the Faculty of Pharmacy after being properly trained.