Bill Text: MI SR0080 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: A resolution to commemorate August 31, 2021, as Overdose Awareness Day.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2021-08-31 - Adopted [SR0080 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2021-SR0080-Enrolled.html

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MICHIGAN SENATE

Senate Resolution No. 80

Offered by Senators Lauwers, Santana, Chang and Geiss

A RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE AUGUST 31, 2021, AS OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

WHEREAS, Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury or death in the United States; and WHEREAS, Since 2000, drug overdose deaths are nine times higher in the state of Michigan, the majority of

which are a result of prescription opioids, illicit fentanyl (synthetic opioid), and heroin; and

WHEREAS, More people in Michigan and across the United States died from drug overdoses in 2020 than ever before; and

WHEREAS, More specifically, overdose deaths in Michigan increased more than 16 percent between 2019 and 2020, accounting for nearly 2,770 overdose deaths in 2020; and

WHEREAS, Overdose deaths were up nearly 30 percent across the nation in 2020, accounting for more than 93,000 deaths; and

WHEREAS, The families and friends of overdose victims suffer unspeakable grief and heartache from the loss of their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have categorized prescription and synthetic drug substance abuse as the nation’s top public health epidemics; and

WHEREAS, Substance abuse disorder is a neurological disease that over 20 million Americans are afflicted with; and

WHEREAS, The ongoing stigmatization of substance abuse disorder results in many Americans not seeking the mental health treatment and medical care they need to recover from their addiction, resulting in increased overdose deaths; and

WHEREAS, Substance abuse disorder also has tremendous social and economic consequences in America, including increased costs to our health care and criminal justice systems, losses in job productivity, threats to public safety, and the erosion of families; and

WHEREAS, The public health addiction and overdose crisis requires a multi-pronged solution that engages law enforcement, health professionals, policymakers, and the general public; and

WHEREAS, The multi-stakeholder Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force is creating a statewide action plan to address this widespread disease; and

WHEREAS, The recommendations of the Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force have the potential to reduce the number of drug overdose deaths in Michigan; and

WHEREAS, August 31, 2021, is observed as International Overdose Awareness Day; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the members of this legislative body commemorate August 31, 2021, as

Overdose Awareness Day. We encourage all of Michigan’s citizens to participate in the aims and goals of this effort.

Adopted by the Senate, August 31, 2021.

Secretary of the Senate