Save the California Poison Control System

To:  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California State Legislature

We the Undersigned request that the members of the California State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reconsider funding for the California Poison Control System (CPCS).

The services provided by the CPCS are crucial to the well being of all Californians. To discontinue funding, would be totally irresponsible and a punishment to the citizens of the State of California. True, it may account for $5.9 million in the State’s budget but when you look at the totality of the California’s deficit of $24.3 billion, does $5.9 million really make that big a dent? In the grand scheme of things, that $5.9 million is nothing compared to the $70 million in health care costs that are saved. Let’s face it, 164,000 more visits to the emergency room is going to cost the State of California a whole lot more than $5.9 million.

In twelve years, the CPCS has saved over 3,000,000 lives. Are we trying to say that those 250,000 lives a year aren’t worth it? Many of those calls are for children under the age of 5. As a mother of a toddler, this is greatly disconcerting to the author of this petition. We are extremely diligent about keeping an eye on our young one but accidents happen. Children are curious by nature and all it takes is for a parent (or any responsible adult/guardian) to turn their back for just a moment.

And what about all of those Californians who love the great outdoors? Poisonous incidents don’t just occur in the home. They also happen in nature. You never know when a rattle snake or spider might be lurking around a corner waiting for an unsuspecting Californian (or tourist).

The California Poison Control System saves lives. Please, please reconsider the budget for the next fiscal year and find a way to save the California Poison Control System. We cannot afford to allow California to be the largest state in the United States without poison control services.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Save the California Poison Control System Petition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California State Legislature was created by and written by Michelle Weiler (MeashLL@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.