Bill Text: DE SJR6 | 2021-2022 | 151st General Assembly | Draft

Delaware Senate Joint Resolution 6 (Prior Session Legislation)

Draft

Bill Title: Designating August 31, 2022, As "international Overdose Awareness Day" In The State Of Delaware.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 23-11)

Status: (Passed) 2022-08-29 - Signed by Governor [SJR6 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2021-SJR6-Draft.html

SPONSOR:	Sen. Hansen & Rep. Dorsey Walker & Rep. Baumbach
Sens. Ennis, Gay, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Pinkney, Poore, Sokola, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Bolden, Briggs King, Dukes, Heffernan, K. Johnson, Kowalko, Matthews, Minor-Brown, Morrison, Osienski, Ramone, Michael Smith

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6

DESIGNATING AUGUST 31, 2022, AS "INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day was launched as a global effort to provide people with the opportunity to mourn loved ones in public without feeling guilt, provide information about overdose prevention and drug policy, and reduce the stigmas related to substance abuse disorders; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, opioid-related deaths have risen dramatically since the 1990s and now account for 193 people dying each day from an overdose, or 70,630 deaths per year; and

WHEREAS, since 2013, a “third wave” of overdose deaths is attributed to the use of synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which continues to be found in combination with drugs such as heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine; and

WHEREAS, North America continues to experience the highest drug-related mortality rate in the world and an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States struggle with an opioid use disorder; and

WHEREAS, Delaware has the second highest rate in the United States of overdose deaths per 100,000 people; and

WHEREAS, we can help minimize the negative effects that the opioid epidemic has caused throughout communities by the recognizing opioid overdose in this State and acknowledging how policy initiatives, educational efforts, and access to services are life-saving measures; and

WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day symbolizes the global event of acknowledging the grief held by families and friends and raises awareness about the needs of individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that August 31, 2022, is designated as “International Overdose Awareness Day” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State flag is to be lowered to half-staff at State facilities. Local governments, businesses, and Delawareans are encouraged to do the same.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Joint Resolution designates August 31, 2022, as "International Overdose Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware and directs the State flag to be lowered to half-staff at State facilities and encourages local governments, businesses, and Delawareans to do the same.

Author: Senator Hansen