HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1979        FILED ON: 2/16/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3251

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Steven G. Xiarhos

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act making August 31st overdose awareness day in the Commonwealth.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Steven G. Xiarhos

5th Barnstable

2/12/2021

David Paul Linsky

5th Middlesex

2/18/2021

Joseph D. McKenna

18th Worcester

2/18/2021

David F. DeCoste

5th Plymouth

2/19/2021

Angelo L. D'Emilia

8th Plymouth

2/19/2021

Mathew J. Muratore

1st Plymouth

2/22/2021

Timothy R. Whelan

1st Barnstable

2/22/2021

Sheila C. Harrington

1st Middlesex

2/24/2021

Ruth B. Balser

12th Middlesex

2/25/2021

Michael J. Soter

8th Worcester

2/25/2021

Paul W. Mark

2nd Berkshire

2/25/2021

Christina A. Minicucci

14th Essex

2/26/2021

Paul McMurtry

11th Norfolk

2/26/2021

Patrick Joseph Kearney

4th Plymouth

2/26/2021

Susan L. Moran

Plymouth and Barnstable

2/26/2021

Shawn Dooley

9th Norfolk

3/8/2021

Richard M. Haggerty

30th Middlesex

3/5/2021

Hannah Kane

11th Worcester

3/2/2021

Kimberly N. Ferguson

1st Worcester

3/11/2021

Thomas M. Stanley

9th Middlesex

3/14/2021

Brendan P. Crighton

Third Essex

3/19/2021

John C. Velis

Second Hampden and Hampshire

3/24/2021

Jack Patrick Lewis

7th Middlesex

3/25/2021

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

3/29/2021

Kate Lipper-Garabedian

32nd Middlesex

3/31/2021

Ryan C. Fattman

Worcester and Norfolk

4/6/2021

Patrick M. O'Connor

Plymouth and Norfolk

5/5/2021

Christopher Hendricks

11th Bristol

8/27/2021


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1979        FILED ON: 2/16/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3251

By Mr. Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3251) of Steven G. Xiarhos and others for legislation to establish August 31st as overdose awareness day in the Commonwealth.  State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act making August 31st overdose awareness day in the Commonwealth.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Whereas, recognizing that addiction is a disease, Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related death; and

Whereas, Overdose Awareness Day acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose; and

Whereas, globally, an estimated minimum of 190,900 premature deaths are caused by drugs. The United States leads the world in drug overdose deaths, with opioids accounting for the majority of drug-related deaths. Such deaths are avoidable in most cases; and

Whereas, this day provides an opportunity for people to mourn publicly for loved ones, some for the first time, without feeling guilt or shame. It also sends a strong message to current and former drug users that they are valued; and

Whereas, in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, the House urges the citizens of this great Commonwealth to educate themselves about this important issue.

Therefore: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts officially declares August 31st Overdose Awareness Day and recognizes it as such.