PRINTER'S NO. 503
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
90
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, HOHENSTEIN, KORTZ, BIZZARRO, READSHAW,
SONNEY, CALTAGIRONE, LONGIETTI, BURNS, SCHLOSSBERG,
DiGIROLAMO, PASHINSKI, MURT, YOUNGBLOOD, MEHAFFIE, MILLARD,
JONES, STRUZZI, OBERLANDER, FREEMAN, DRISCOLL, NEILSON,
McCLINTON, SAYLOR, CIRESI, HENNESSEY, MARKOSEK, MULLINS, SIMS
AND KINSEY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 6, 2019, as "Black Balloon Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Black Balloon Day" is a national event originally
organized by Diane and Lauren Hurley in remembrance of Greg
Tremblay, a father of four and brother-in-law of Lauren, who
died of a drug overdose at 38 years of age on March 6, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental
deaths in the United States; and
WHEREAS, For the first time in United States history, the
odds of dying from an accidental opioid overdose are greater
than dying in a motor vehicle crash; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania experienced 5,456 drug-related overdose
deaths in 2017, which represents a 65% increase in drug-related
overdose deaths between 2015 and 2017; and
WHEREAS, Increased fentanyl availability and misuse
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significantly contributed to the overall increase in drug-
related overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in recent years; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a rate of 43 drug-related overdose
deaths per 100,000 people, which far exceeds the national
average of 22 deaths per 100,000 people; and
WHEREAS, A recent report prepared by the Drug Enforcement
Administration's Philadelphia Field Division, in collaboration
with the University of Pittsburgh, found the implementation of
legislation influencing prescription opioid prescribing in this
Commonwealth has already resulted in a decrease in opioid
availability; and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned report further found that
multidisciplinary efforts bridging public health and public
safety have also resulted in documented progress in some
Pennsylvania counties; and
WHEREAS, In addition to raising awareness of the alarming
rate of drug-related overdose deaths in this Commonwealth, it is
crucial to bring attention to the support and resources
available to individuals, families, caregivers and communities
to help address and cope with the opioid epidemic; and
WHEREAS, On April 18, 2018, a standing order was issued by
the Secretary of Health to expand access to Naloxone, an opioid
overdose reversal medication, to family and friends of
individuals at risk of experiencing drug overdoses; and
WHEREAS, There are several loss and grief support groups
located in counties across this Commonwealth available for those
who have experienced the loss of a loved one to a drug overdose;
and
WHEREAS, "Black Balloon Day" presents an opportunity for
friends and families nationwide to recognize and remember those
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lost to drug addiction by tying black balloons outside their
homes and businesses to raise awareness of drug-related overdose
deaths; and
WHEREAS, Participants hope the black balloons will encourage
conversations about the dangers of opioid misuse and overdose
and the devastation it causes to individuals and their loved
ones; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize March
6, 2019, as "Black Balloon Day" in Pennsylvania.
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