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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 10, 2019 11:09 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Carol Hill-Evans |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Recognizing March 6, 2019, as “Black Balloon Day” in Pennsylvania |
| Despite efforts to mitigate the opioid epidemic in this Commonwealth, opioid and other drug-related overdose deaths continue to rise year after year. Pennsylvania experienced 5,456 drug-related overdose deaths in 2017, which represents a staggering 65 percent increase in overdose deaths between 2015 and 2017. Unfortunately, this number also depicts a rate of 43 deaths per 100,000 people, far exceeding the national average of 22 per 100,000 last year. Research indicates that increased fentanyl availability and misuse contributed to the significant increase in drug-related overdose deaths in our state between 2015 and 2017. It is for these reasons and more that I am introducing a resolution to recognize March 6, 2019, as “Black Balloon Day” in Pennsylvania. On this day, friends and families of those lost to drug addiction nationwide will tie black balloons outside their homes and businesses to raise awareness of drug-related overdose deaths. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to bring attention to the alarming rate of deaths attributable to opioids and other drugs in this Commonwealth. |
Introduced as HR90