SR-85, As Adopted by Senate, September 9, 2015

            Senator Ananich offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 85.

            A resolution commemorating August 31, 2015, as Overdose Awareness Day.

            Whereas, Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury or death in the United States; and

            Whereas, Since 1999, drug overdose deaths have quadrupled in the state of Michigan, the majority of which are a result of prescription opioids and heroin; 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 has categorized prescription drug substance abuse as one of 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 the state of Michigan; and

            Whereas, August 31, 2015, 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, 2015, as Overdose Awareness Day in the state of Michigan. We encourage all of Michigan’s citizens to participate in the aims and goals of this effort.