2022 -- H 8224

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

DESIGNATING MAY 10, 2022, AS "FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi, Alzate, Casey,
Giraldo, Potter, Barros, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: May 10, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, In the State of Rhode Island, three out of every four overdose deaths has

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involved fentanyl, a highly potent opioid that poses a great threat to society and has worsened our

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overdose crisis; and

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     WHEREAS, According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, since 2009, the

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number of overdose deaths related to fentanyl has increased in Rhode Island by almost 30-fold;

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and

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     WHEREAS, There is a dramatic rise in the rates of counterfeit pills, opioids, cocaine, and

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other substances containing fentanyl in Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other

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cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents; and

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     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has made history in passing health-related

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legislation aimed at supporting individuals and communities dealing with substance use,

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including legalizing fentanyl test strips to enable individuals to test their substances for fentanyl,

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establishing a pilot program to create harm reduction centers to prevent drug overdose deaths;

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and, decriminalizing buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorders; now,

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therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

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proudly joins partners local and nationwide, in recognizing the first-annual "National Fentanyl

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Awareness Day" on May 10, 2022, and implementing a day of action to raise public awareness

 

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about the urgent problem of people dying at alarming rates due to fentanyl; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this House hereby supports the recognition and goals of National

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Fentanyl Awareness Day, which includes increasing individual and public awareness of fentanyl,

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including the impact of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl on families and young people; and be

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it further

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     RESOLVED, That this House enthusiastically supports the work of the Rhode Island

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Department of Health and other organizations in their efforts to support individuals and their

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families impacted by substance use disorders; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this House encourages additional laws, regulations, and programs that

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increase education and support individuals, their families, and communities impacted by

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substance abuse disorders; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

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Health.

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