During National Poison Prevention Week, leaders of the New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center want the public to know when and how to get help, if they believe their health or the health of a loved one is in danger.
“With the age of technology and people looking up information online, the information you find is not always reliable,” said Joseph Lambson, PharmD, DABAT.
If you are trying to decide if you should go to an emergency room or not, call the New Mexico Poison Center. Our specialists are trained medical professionals in clinical toxicology and can help in that decision-making process to know what kind of care you need.
-Joseph Lambson, PharmD, DABAT, Director, New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center
Lambson is the director of the New Mexico Poison Center, which is part of the UNM College of Pharmacy and affiliated with the UNM Health System. He, along with the center’s medical director, David Gummin, MD, compiled a list of four things they want the public to know about poison prevention and poison response services in the state of New Mexico.
1. The New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center is Poison Control
Known by many names, Gummin clarified they all refer to the same singular resource.
“New Mexico has only one poison center,” Gummin said. “Some people like to call it a poison control center. Some people call it ‘UNM Poison Center,’ some call it ‘UNM Health's Poison Center.’ But there is only one New Mexico Poison Center.”
2. Anyone and everyone can call the New Mexico Poison Center
“The New Mexico Poison Center is able to provide services for individuals in more than 80 languages,” Lambson said. “Language is not a barrier, so please call.”
Call 1-800-222-1222
3. Call about anything and everything, any time
If you are concerned that you have overdosed on a medication, you have a bug or snake bite, a child ate an unknown item off the floor, or you are worried about chemicals you may have inhaled, Lambson said he encourages the public to call the 24/7 poison hotline.
“It is the dose that determines the poison,” Lambson said. “If there are concerns that you have taken too much of anything, or if you have simple questions of these types of products, it is always appropriate to call the New Mexico Poison Center.”
4. The New Mexico Poison Center can help with cost savings
“Eighty-five to 90 percent of the time we do not send people to the emergency department,” Gummin added. “We manage their poisoning or potential poisoning, right at home.”
In fiscal year 2025, the New Mexico Poison Center handled 19,187 cases across all 33 New Mexico counties, with an estimated $46.6 million in cost savings and benefits for families statewide. That’s according to the report, Poison Prevention, Treatment, and Detection as Public Health Investments, produced by the RAND Corporation.
“If you are trying to decide if you should go to an emergency room or not, call the New Mexico Poison Center,” Lambson said. “Our specialists are trained medical professionals in clinical toxicology and can help in that decision-making process to know what kind of care you need.”
While some might be hesitant to call, he wants every caller to know the priority of the poison center is the health of the individual.
“The New Mexico Poison Center does not keep track of how many times you call,” Lambson added. “If you have children who get into things multiple times a day, it is appropriate to call every single incident.”
How You Can Help
The New Mexico Poison Center is able to provide life-saving services for New Mexicans thanks to generous community support. To donate to the New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center Fund or the Dennis S. Peña Memorial Endowment Fund, click here.
For fast, free, and confidential help with a possible poisoning or medication question, call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222, visit PoisonHelp.org, or connect directly with the New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center, here.
