To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera, 707-565-4774; Jan Cobaleda-Kegler, 707-565-5157
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution proclaiming August 31, 2023 as Overdose Awareness Day in Sonoma County. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
Adopt a Gold Resolution proclaiming August 31, 2023 as Overdose Awareness Day in Sonoma County. (Countywide)
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services (hereinafter, “DHS” or “the Department”) is proposing that Overdose Awareness Day be proclaimed in the County on August 31st as it has been recognized internationally on that day for over 20 years. By adopting this resolution, Sonoma County joins the world’s campaign to end overdose, remembers those who have died, and supports those who have lost loved ones to an overdose. DHS is also committed to supporting those who continue to struggle with addiction and mental health disorders without stigma as an important goal of Overdose Awareness Day.
The community recognizes that those affected by overdose are not just those individuals with a substance use disorder. Many people have friends or family that have been taken from them from an overdose and this day of remembrance allows us to advocate for those without a voice.
The Department has engaged with numerous community partners to educate and inform the public on the risks of substance use and the potential to overdose on substances such as fentanyl that are becoming increasingly more available. Continued support from the community and the County of Sonoma is necessary to promote healthy living and reduce the stigma associated with overdoses and substance use to incentivize those impacted to seek treatment and preventative measures.
Throughout the United States since 1999, more than 1 million people have died from a drug overdose. Currently, over 96,700 people die every year in the US from drug overdoses and opioids are a factor in 7 out of 10 drug overdose deaths. (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics - <https://drugabusestatistics.org/drug-overdose-deaths/>)
Sonoma County continues to have the second highest rate of overdoses in the Greater Bay Area. In Sonoma County, the drug overdose deaths increased dramatically from 2016 to 2021. This increase in overdose deaths was driven by opioid-involved overdose deaths (80% of drug overdose deaths). Additionally, 87% of opioid overdose deaths involved fentanyl.
This day of remembrance is an opportunity to expand awareness and support the populations of Sonoma County who are disproportionately affected by substance misuse and overdose perennially.
Prior Board Actions:
Most recently, on August 30, 2022 the Board adopted a resolution proclaiming August 31, 2022 as Overdose Awareness Day in Sonoma County.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None