A resolution supporting the recognition and goals of Overdose Awareness Day in the United States.

Bill: 117-sres-355
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-09-13
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Government buildings, facilities, and property

Health promotion and preventive care

National symbols
Latest action: action_date: 2021-09-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S6460)

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-09-13
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This resolution supports the recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, including by lowering U.S. flags at federal buildings to half-staff.</p>

tv_txt: III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 355 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 13, 2021 Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Casey , Mr. Brown , Ms. Klobuchar , Ms. Warren , Mr. Whitehouse , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Manchin , and Mr. Blumenthal ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Supporting the recognition and goals of Overdose Awareness Day in the United States.

Whereas more than 750,000 individuals in the United States have died from a drug overdose since 1999; Whereas substance use disorders and drug overdoses affect all socioeconomic groups, racial and ethnic groups, geographic regions, and ages; Whereas substance use disorders are a chronic disease, and recognizing those disorders as such decreases stigma and acknowledges that substance use may be beyond the control of an individual; Whereas overdose deaths are preventable, and lives can be saved through awareness, prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support; Whereas overdose deaths claimed more than 93,000 lives in the United States in 2020, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic has contributed to the acceleration of overdose deaths; Whereas communities across the United States have been pained by substance use disorders through the premature loss of lives and the stigma associated with drug-related fatalities; and Whereas numerous States across the United States have lowered their State flags in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) supports the recognition and goals of Overdose Awareness Day in the United States; and (2) encourages all Federal buildings in the United States to lower their flags to half-staff on August 31 of each year to support awareness of overdoses.