PRINTER'S NO. 2476
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
494
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY TOEPEL, DAWKINS, DiGIROLAMO, BIZZARRO, BOBACK,
BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, FEE, FLYNN, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, HILL-
EVANS, HOHENSTEIN, ISAACSON, KIM, KORTZ, LONGIETTI,
MACKENZIE, MERSKI, MILLARD, PICKETT, RYAN, SCHLOSSBERG,
SCHMITT, THOMAS, ZABEL AND READSHAW, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating September 25, 2019, as "Someone You Know Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Opioid addiction has reached epidemic proportions
across the country; and
WHEREAS, With the nation's third highest death rate due to
drug overdose, Pennsylvania is a microcosm for the opioid crisis
affecting families nationally; and
WHEREAS, Stigma is recognized as a barrier to people seeking
help and treatment for opioid use disorder; and
WHEREAS, Experts agree that sharing positive stories of
people who have been affected by opioid use disorders is an
effective strategy to address social stigma; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the need to address this epidemic, the
Independence Blue Cross Foundation launched "Someone You Know"
to share diverse stories of hope for those who have found a life
in recovery, supported a loved one with opioid addiction or
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sadly lost a loved one to an overdose; and
WHEREAS, "Someone You Know" began as a regional public health
awareness campaign involving nearly a dozen participants and a
national conference that convened more than 600 leaders in
health, government and communities, including the United States
Surgeon General; and
WHEREAS, In one year, the diversity and number of "Someone
You Know" participants increased to 20 ambassadors who have
shared their stories at three major events in 2019, engaging
Federal and state legislators at day long exhibitions in
Washington, DC, Harrisburg and Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Each event featured an interactive mobile display
for guests to listen to the stories of hope told by campaign
participants; and
WHEREAS, The mobile exhibit was created to expand the reach
of initial advertising and travels to community events, colleges
and corporate campuses; and
WHEREAS, "Someone You Know" has gained national attention for
addressing the stigma of opioid use disorder; and
WHEREAS, Through regional advertising, social media promotion
and the mobile exhibit, "Someone You Know" generated more than
40 million viewer impressions and more than 85,000 views of
videos to date; and
WHEREAS, On September 25, 2019, the "Someone You Know" mobile
exhibit is traveling to the State Capitol to raise awareness
about the Independence Blue Cross Foundation's grassroots public
health campaign that is breaking the stigma of opioid addiction,
inspiring hope and empowering others to seek help and treatment;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
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September 25, 2019, as "Someone You Know Day" in Pennsylvania.
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