Ellis' Long Islanders of the Week

Friday was lights out at the Long Island Regional Poison and Drug Information Center, whose doctors and nurses have been calmly answering 50,000 often panicked calls a year from their busy quarters at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola. "My baby just swallowed a dozen aspirin. What do I do?" "I put bleach in my coffee instead of milk." Director McGuigan and his staff had answers for everyone, ranging from "Don't worry, you'll be OK" to "An ambulance is on the way." The center is an early victim of the state's latest budget crisis. But is this really where the ax should swing first? Protecting Long Islanders from poisoning themselves and their families? Here's hoping the money is found to revive these front-line lifesavers. Here's hoping the overworked poison-control center at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital will answer the calls as calmly, compassionately and knowledgeably as Dr. McGuigan's crew has.