HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 12

(By Delegates Robinson, Baldwin, Barrett, Blair,  Boggs, Brewer, Byrd, Canestraro, , Cooper, Cowles, Criss, Deem, Ellington, Evans, E., Fleischauer, Fluharty, Foster, N., Hollen, Hornbuckle, Isner, Kelly, Kessinger, Lane, C., Longstreth, Lovejoy, Miley, Miller, R., Moore, Phillips, Pushkin, Queen, Rowe, Sobonya, Sponaugle, Storch, Summers, Thompson, Upson and Zatezalo

 [Introduced February 15, 2017]

Declaring August 31 as “Overdose Awareness Day”.

Whereas, Overdose Awareness Day is an event held on an international basis to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug related death that offers an opportunity to help expand understanding of the community how a fatal overdose affects that community; and

Whereas, Overdose fatalities result not only from illegal drugs but from an increasing number of fatalities from painkillers and other prescription drugs. On Overdose Awareness Day, all people recommit to educate the public and offer support for those suffering from substance abuse and the families affected by addiction and the loss of loved ones; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That it is the hope and desire of the Legislature that West Virginian’s increase their awareness of this increasing problem resulting in death or permanent injury in this state as a result of drug overdoses, and with that goal in mind, August 31 be designated as West Virginia “Overdose Awareness Day”.