PR2013 Aug 9

POISON CONTROL CENTER TO CLOSE IN TUSCALOOSA

State Funding Cuts lead to Shutdown

August 9, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:Malena Cunningham

strategicmedia@bellsouth.net

(205)746-9942

TUSCALOOSA: The decision to not renew funding will result in closing Alabama Poison Center. During the recently ended legislative session, state lawmakers voted to stop funding the center.

The 24-hour poison control center was moved to the campus of Shelton State Community College in 2008. The center is not a part of the college, but was housed at the Martin Campus on Old Greensboro Road. The poison center is a non-profit agency that also received federal and private money.

Last month, Shelton State Interim President Joan Davis met with employees of the center to give them notice of the possible closure and cutbacks.

“We have offered to assist the 14 affected employees of the center with help in finding jobs based on their background and experience,” says President Davis. “Shelton State will provide resume and other career counseling assistance to try and help during this transition.”

The Alabama Control Center office answered over 877,000 calls from those seeking information, prevention, and requests for educational programs. The center will officially close on September 30th. Calls to the center will be re-routed to the Birmingham office.

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Martin Campus - Fredd Campus

205.391.2211 * 9500 Old Greensboro Road * Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405