Household drugs are the most common cause of poisoning in children under the age of 10, figures revealed today.
Out of 4,263 inquiries concerning suspected poisoning of youngsters last year, more than 2,300 were linked to drugs such as painkillers, antibiotics and cough and cold preparations.
Unveiling a campaign to persuade householders to return out-of-date medication to their local pharmacies, Ms Mary Mooney, chair of the South Western Area Health Board, said: "We need to recognise that there are potentially dangerous medicines being stored in our homes and take steps to secure these and to keep only what's necessary."
Figures at the launch were based on information from the National Poisons Information Centre.
In a pilot exercise at pharmacies in the health board during September nearly one-and-a-half tonnes of medication were returned.
Today, the Dispose of Unused Medication Properly campaign was expanded to more than 150 pharmacies in the south west of the State.
Data from the National Suicide Research Foundation also showed that an estimated 10,500 people attended accident and emergency departments in 2002 as a result of attempted suicide or deliberate self-harm. Some 77 per cent of these cases involved a drugs overdose.
PA