Senate Resolution No. 590

BY: Senator REICHLIN-MELNICK

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 31, 2021, as
Overdose Awareness Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days set aside to increase awareness of serious issues which
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 31, 2021, as
Overdose Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Overdose Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) was established
in Melbourne, Australia, in 2001; today, it has become a global
campaign; in 2019, 874 IOAD events took place in 39 countries,
surpassing the previous record tally of 747, set in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Since 2012, this annual global event has been planned by
the not-for-profit Australian public health organization, Anex, which in
April of 2014, became a program of Penington Institute; and

WHEREAS, Penington Institute advances health and community safety by
connecting substance use research to practical action; this vital
foundation helps individuals and the wider community through research,
analysis, promotion of effective strategies, workforce education and
public awareness activities; and

WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise
awareness of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and is
an opportunity to stimulate discussion about evidence-based overdose
prevention and drug policy; and

WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day also acknowledges the
grief felt by families and friends whose loved-ones have died or
suffered permanent injury from a drug overdose, and spreads the message
about the tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is
preventable; and

WHEREAS, The goals of International Overdose Awareness Day are to
provide an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones in a safe
environment, some for the first time without feeling guilt or shame;
include the greatest number of people in International Overdose
Awareness Day events, and encourage non-denominational involvement; give
community members information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal
overdose; send a strong message to current and former people who use
drugs that they are valued; stimulate discussion about overdose
prevention and drug policy; provide basic information on the range of
support services that are available; prevent and reduce drug-related
harm by supporting evidence-based policy and practice; and inform people
around the world about the risk of overdose; and

WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to
remember loved ones lost to overdose and is a "Time to remember. Time to
Act."; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition; the tragedy of overdose death is preventable
and more must be done to save lives and increase activity at local,
State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 31, 2021, as
Overdose Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.