Delaware 2023-2024 Regular Session

Delaware Senate Bill SJR8 Latest Draft

Bill / Draft Version

                            SPONSOR:      Sen. Hansen & Rep. Longhurst       Sens. Sokola, Townsend, Mantzavinos, Hoffner, Huxtable, Hocker; Reps. Osienski, K. Johnson, Morrison, Romer, Baumbach, Hensley, Dukes, Michael Smith, Yearick           DELAWARE STATE SENATE   152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY       SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8       DESIGNATING AUGUST 31, 2024, AS "INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND REQUIRING THE STATE FLAG TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF IN OBSERVANCE.      

     

     SPONSOR:      Sen. Hansen & Rep. Longhurst       Sens. Sokola, Townsend, Mantzavinos, Hoffner, Huxtable, Hocker; Reps. Osienski, K. Johnson, Morrison, Romer, Baumbach, Hensley, Dukes, Michael Smith, Yearick     

SPONSOR: Sen. Hansen & Rep. Longhurst
Sens. Sokola, Townsend, Mantzavinos, Hoffner, Huxtable, Hocker; Reps. Osienski, K. Johnson, Morrison, Romer, Baumbach, Hensley, Dukes, Michael Smith, Yearick

 SPONSOR:  

 Sen. Hansen & Rep. Longhurst 

 Sens. Sokola, Townsend, Mantzavinos, Hoffner, Huxtable, Hocker; Reps. Osienski, K. Johnson, Morrison, Romer, Baumbach, Hensley, Dukes, Michael Smith, Yearick 

   

 DELAWARE STATE SENATE 

 152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

   

 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8 

   

 DESIGNATING AUGUST 31, 2024, AS "INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND REQUIRING THE STATE FLAG TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF IN OBSERVANCE. 

   

  WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day is held on August 31 every year and was launched as a global effort to provide people with the opportunity to mourn loved ones in public without feeling guilt, provide information about overdose prevention and drug policy, and reduce the stigmas related to substance abuse disorders; and   WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 109,940 individuals died from an overdose in the United States between February 2022 and February 2023; and   WHEREAS, since 2013, a third wave of overdose deaths is attributed to the use of synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which continue to be found in combination with drugs such as heroin, counterfeit pills, tranquilizers, and cocaine; and   WHEREAS, an estimated 2.5 million people in the United States struggle with opioid use disorder; and   WHEREAS, synthetic opioids are the fastest growing cause of overdose deaths, killing approximately 136 Americans every day; and   WHEREAS, Delaware has one of the highest drug overdose mortality rates in the country; and   WHEREAS, recognizing opioid overdose in this State and acknowledging how policy initiatives, educational efforts, and access to services are life-saving measures can help minimize the negative effects the opioid epidemic has caused throughout communities; and   WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day is the worlds largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind, and raise awareness about the needs of individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.   NOW, THEREFORE:   BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that the General Assembly affirms the importance of overdose awareness and hereby designates August 31, 2024, as International Overdose Awareness Day in the State of Delaware.   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly remembers those who have died from overdose and acknowledges the grief suffered by Delawareans, and people around the world, from losing a loved one to overdose.    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day, the State flag is to be lowered to half-staff at State facilities on August 31, 2024, and local governments, businesses, and individual Delawareans are encouraged to do the same.      

 WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day is held on August 31 every year and was launched as a global effort to provide people with the opportunity to mourn loved ones in public without feeling guilt, provide information about overdose prevention and drug policy, and reduce the stigmas related to substance abuse disorders; and 

 WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 109,940 individuals died from an overdose in the United States between February 2022 and February 2023; and 

 WHEREAS, since 2013, a third wave of overdose deaths is attributed to the use of synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which continue to be found in combination with drugs such as heroin, counterfeit pills, tranquilizers, and cocaine; and 

 WHEREAS, an estimated 2.5 million people in the United States struggle with opioid use disorder; and 

 WHEREAS, synthetic opioids are the fastest growing cause of overdose deaths, killing approximately 136 Americans every day; and 

 WHEREAS, Delaware has one of the highest drug overdose mortality rates in the country; and 

 WHEREAS, recognizing opioid overdose in this State and acknowledging how policy initiatives, educational efforts, and access to services are life-saving measures can help minimize the negative effects the opioid epidemic has caused throughout communities; and 

 WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day is the worlds largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind, and raise awareness about the needs of individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders. 

 NOW, THEREFORE: 

 BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that the General Assembly affirms the importance of overdose awareness and hereby designates August 31, 2024, as International Overdose Awareness Day in the State of Delaware. 

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly remembers those who have died from overdose and acknowledges the grief suffered by Delawareans, and people around the world, from losing a loved one to overdose.  

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day, the State flag is to be lowered to half-staff at State facilities on August 31, 2024, and local governments, businesses, and individual Delawareans are encouraged to do the same. 

   

  SYNOPSIS   This Joint Resolution designates August 31, 2024, as "International Overdose Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware and requires that in observance, the State flag be flown at half-staff at State facilities. By recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day, this Joint Resolution affirms the importance of overdose awareness, remembers those who have died from overdose, and acknowledges the grief suffered from losing a loved one to overdose.   Author: Senator Hansen  

 SYNOPSIS 

 This Joint Resolution designates August 31, 2024, as "International Overdose Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware and requires that in observance, the State flag be flown at half-staff at State facilities. By recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day, this Joint Resolution affirms the importance of overdose awareness, remembers those who have died from overdose, and acknowledges the grief suffered from losing a loved one to overdose. 

 Author: Senator Hansen