HomeMy WebLinkAboutPROCLAMATION Overdose Awareness JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Adiel McKnight,Deputy Clerk of the Board
DATE: August 25, 2025
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming August 31, 2025 as Overdose Awareness Day
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
International Overdose Awareness Day(IOAD) is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdoses,
remember without stigma those who have died from overdoses, celebrate life, and commit to supporting the
safety, health and wellbeing of people who abuse substances. Finally it is also to acknowledge the grief of
the families and friends left behind.
ANALYSIS:
The County is committed to the campaign to acknowledging the grief of the families and friends left behind
from substance abuse. In honor of those that have gone and those that are here the Courthouse flag will fly
half-staff on Friday, August 29, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Proclamation re: Proclaiming August 31, 2025 as Overdose Awareness Day.
REVIEWED BY:
a/d-S
Josh D. Peters, County Administrator Date
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, no community in Washington State is immune to accidental or
intentional overdose, and drug overdose deaths remain high across the state, impacting
urban, suburban, and rural communities, and disproportionately affecting American
Indian/Alaskan Native communities and marginalized populations; and
WHEREAS, in the last year nearly 641 people have died due to overdoses/ suspected
overdoses across Washington State; and
WHEREAS, Washington State Health Care Authority, Department of Health, and
University of Washington-Alcohol Drug Abuse Institute, local health jurisdictions,
community organizations, syringe-service programs, harm reduction services and
pharmacies collectively distributed overdose reversal medication, Naloxone, to tens of
thousands of individuals; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County acknowledges that there is a need to treat drug-related
harm as a public health issue and invest in evidence-based practices that save lives and build
communities; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County remains committed to raising awareness around drug
overdose morbidity and mortality by reducing stigma through countywide initiatives related
to education, prevention, treatment, and recovery support for substance use disorder; and
WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity for all people
in Jefferson County to grieve the loss of those who have died due to overdose, celebrate life,
and commit to supporting the safety, health and wellbeing of people who abuse substances;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Jefferson County Board of
County Commissioners, hereby proclaim August 31, 2025, as
Overdose Awareness Day
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that the Board of Commissioners encourage
all residents and visitors alike whose life has been impacted by substance use disorder
to call the Washington Recovery Helpline at 1-866-789-1511, available 24-hours a
day, 7 days a week.
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that the courthouse flag be lowered to half-
staff in observance of Overdose Awareness Day on Friday, August 29, 2025.
PROCLAIMED this 25th day of August, 2024.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
Heidi Eisenhour, Chair
ATTEST: Greg Brotherton, Member
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC Clerk of the Board Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member