1 HJR23
2 209510-4
3 By Representatives Fincher, Whorton, Hanes, Shiver, Daniels,
4 Kitchens, Drake, Scott, Sorrell, Crawford and Whitt
5 RFD: Rules
6 First Read: 03-FEB-21
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 HJR23
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2 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
3 DESIGNATING AUGUST 31 OF EACH YEAR OVERDOSE
4 AWARENESS DAY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.
5
6 WHEREAS, drug addiction is a chronic disease,
7 characterized by compulsive or difficult to control drug use
8 despite harmful consequences; and
9 WHEREAS, drug addiction is seen by both the Centers
10 for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health
11 Organization as a fast-growing epidemic that can all too
12 easily lead to overdose and death; and
13 WHEREAS, 67,367 individuals in the United States
14 died from drug overdoses in 2018; and
15 WHEREAS, for every drug overdose that results in
16 death, there are many more nonfatal overdoses, each taking an
17 emotional and economic toll on the individual, their family,
18 and the community at large; and
19 WHEREAS, drug addiction can fuel feelings of shame,
20 guilt, embarrassment, depression, and hopelessness, causing
21 individuals to resist seeking treatment and support; and
22 WHEREAS, Overdose Awareness Day is a global event
23 held on August 31 of each year to raise awareness of drug
24 overdoses, to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and to
25 acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends remembering
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 HJR23
1 those who have died or have a permanent injury as a result of
2 a drug overdose; and
3 WHEREAS, to advance the purpose of Overdose
4 Awareness Day, all flags shall be flown at half-staff
5 throughout the state for the day's duration; and
6 WHEREAS, recognizing Overdose Awareness Day in
7 Alabama sends a strong message to former or current addictive
8 substance users, that they are valued and that overdose death
9 is preventable; now therefore,
10 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
11 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That August 31 of each year shall
12 be designated as Overdose Awareness Day in Alabama to raise
13 awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related
14 deaths.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this body respectfully
16 requests that the Governor order flags flown at half-staff and
17 to issue a proclamation calling on public officials and the
18 residents of the state to observe Overdose Awareness Day with
19 appropriate activities and programs each year.
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2
3
4 Speaker of the House of Representatives
5
6 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
7 House of Representatives
8 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
9 and was adopted by the House 11-FEB-21.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15
16 Senate 09-MAR-21 Adopted
17
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