Montgomery News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 6, 2023, the co-chairs of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force were joined by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in announcing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing June 6, 2023, as Naloxone Awareness Day. The resolution promotes awareness of the life-saving drug, naloxone, which reverses opioid overdoses and prevents unnecessary deaths. It also aims to educate members of the public about the importance of recognizing the signs of overdose and equipping themselves with the life-saving antidote.

This resolution has been endorsed by Victoria’s Voice, a Florida-based foundation that aims to bring Naloxone awareness to the national stage. Members of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force who led this effort in the House include Representatives David Trone (D-MD), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Annie Kuster (D-NH), and Lisa McClain (R-MI).

“As our communities continue to grapple with a devastating opioid epidemic, our nation’s leaders need to put our money where our mouth is on delivering much-needed resources to the frontlines,” said Congressman David Trone, co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “That means following the data: studies show that one in five fatal overdoses could be averted with naloxone if it’s properly supplied. By raising awareness of this vital emergency treatment, we can and will save lives.”

“Harm prevention tools, including naloxone, are critical to reducing the number of overdose deaths in our communities, said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “I proudly join my colleagues in supporting this life-saving intervention treatment as part of our bipartisan task force’s commitment to combatting the mental health epidemic plaguing our nation.”

“Every life lost to overdose is a tragedy – we must utilize the resources we have to end the substance use crisis and prevent deaths,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “That’s where harm reduction tools like naloxone are so crucial. Today, I am proud to join with my colleagues from across the aisle to emphasize our support for life-saving interventions and our commitment to ending the addiction and mental health epidemic.”

“The opioid crisis continues to touch every corner of our country, and it doesn’t care about your politics, race, or age. While we have worked hard to combat the opioid epidemic, there is still more we can do, said Congresswoman Lisa McClain, co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “By increasing the awareness of naloxone, we can truly make a difference in this fight and save lives in the process.”

“Too many mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends have been lost to opioid poisoning in America. Naloxone saves lives and it is a critical tool in our fight to stop the loss caused by opioids in communities across our nation. I am proud to be joined by Senator Markey and a bipartisan group of our colleagues in the House to introduce a resolution designating June 6th as Naloxone Awareness Day to bring awareness to the issue and educate Americans about this life-saving drug, said Senator Rick Scott. “I also want to highlight the Victoria’s Voice Foundation and the Siegel Family for the lifesaving work they do on advocacy and education about the dangers of opioids. This organization was started following a parent’s worst nightmare – the loss of a child – and they have made it their mission to ensure folks are educated and prepared to save lives.”

“In red states and in blue states, tens of thousands of lives are lost every year to the opioid epidemic across our country. A single life lost is already one too many,” said Senator Ed Markey. “Our federal government must empower communities on the frontlines of this crisis by expanding the availability of affordable overdose reversal medication like naloxone. I’m proud to be joining with my colleagues in a shared, bipartisan commitment to confront this crisis.”

“We are grateful to Senators Scott and Markey and their colleagues in the House of Representatives for introducing a bipartisan resolution designating June 6 as National Naloxone Awareness Day,” Jackie and David Siegel, co-founders of Victoria’s Voice Foundation. “The more awareness and access to the lifesaving opioid overdose medicine that we can bring, the more lives will be ultimately saved. We firmly believe that our daughter Victoria would still be alive today if, on the day she died, the first responders who arrived and found her unresponsive, but with a pulse, had been equipped with naloxone.”

Read the full resolution here.

The Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force brings together over 130 Democratic and Republican lawmakers committed to combating the growing opioid, substance use disorder, and mental health crises. During the 117th Congress, the Task Force passed 26 bills from their legislative agenda into law. In 2021, more than 106,000 Americans died from an overdose, and in 2022 that number rose dramatically due to the prevalence and accessibility of dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and xylazine.

Original source can be found here.