HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation Overdose Awareness Day JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Adiel Mcknight, Executive Assistant
DATE: August 28,2023
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming August 31, 2023 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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Proclamation re: Proclaiming August 31, 2023 as Overdose Awareness Day.
REVIEWED BY:
Mark McCau C, A m ounty inistrator Dat
PROCLAMATION
Overdose Awareness Day
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 3,000 people have died due to overdoses/suspected
overdoses across Washington State including 11 reported in March 2023 for the preceding 12-
month period in Jefferson County; 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:,
,VOW, THEREFORE the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, hereby
proclaim August 31, 2023, 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.
PROCLAIMED this 28th day of August, 2023.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
Greg Brotherton, Chair
ATTEST: Kate Dean, Member
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC Clerk of the Board Heidi Eisenhour, Member