Memorandum
Date: August 12, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Anthony Arton, Health Services Director
Elise Jones, Behavioral Health Director
Subject: Adopt Proclamation Designating the Thirty-First Day of August as International Overdose Awareness Day
Executive Summary:
DESIGNATING THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF AUGUST AS INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
WHEREAS, International Overdose Awareness Day is a global campaign held on August 31 to end overdose, remember those who have died without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind;
WHEREAS, in 2023, 28 people fatally overdosed in Lake County which was the 7th highest overdose death rate in the state of California and is 2 times higher than the California rate. Lake County's rate was 43.8/l00k compared to California's rate of 20.81/100k deaths. Data from CA Overdose Dashboard
WHEREAS, every person should have access to resources that prevent overdose and other causes of drug-related mortality, including naloxone, sterile needles, drug testing, and medication for addiction treatment; people who use drugs continue to be stigmatized and marginalized, discouraging them from accessing care and treatment;
WHEREAS, in Lake County, dedicated prescribers of medication for addiction treatment, harm reduction providers, behavioral health providers, and addiction recovery programs work tirelessly to provide residents with these resources; all overdose deaths are preventable via access to harm reduction, health care, substance use prevention and treatment services, and naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal agent;
WHEREAS, local communities play a crucial role in eliminating the stigma of addiction, including residents, elected officials, parents, private and public organizations, hospitals, law enforcement, first responders, schools, and colleges; and,
WHEREAS, SafeRx Lake County, an overdose prevention coalition comprised oflocal agencies and organizations including Lake County Behavioral Health and Lake County Health Services, will host its fifth annual commemoration of International Overdose Awareness Day in Library Park in Lakeport on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 11am to 3pm;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Lake County Board of Supervisors does hereby designate August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day and urges Lake County citizens to join in this important observance.
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Recommended Action: Adopt Proclamation Designating the Thirty-First Day of August as International Overdose Awareness Day