2022 -- H 8224

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LC005945

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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

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

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

overdose crisis; and

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

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

and

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

other substances containing fentanyl in Rhode Island; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

therefore be it

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

it further

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

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

families impacted by substance use disorders; and be it further

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

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

substance abuse disorders; and be it further

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

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

Health.

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