The Pierce County Council has officially proclaimed August 31, 2024, as Overdose Awareness Day, highlighting the ongoing opioid crisis that has severely impacted the region. During a recent council meeting, Council Member Hitchen read the proclamation, emphasizing the alarming statistics surrounding drug overdoses in Pierce County.

Since the onset of the opioid epidemic in the 1990s, the area has witnessed a significant rise in overdose deaths, with over 800 residents losing their lives to drug overdoses between January 2021 and June 2023. Opioid-related overdoses have become the leading cause of accidental death among adults over 18, surpassing fatalities from motor vehicle accidents and firearms.

The proclamation also noted that the opioid crisis has particularly affected younger adults, with the fastest-growing overdose rates among individuals aged 18 to 24. In response to this public health emergency, the Pierce County Council established the Pierce County Opioid Abatement Council (OAC) in June 2023, which will oversee the allocation of $48 million from opioid settlements over the next 17 years. These funds are intended to support addiction recovery programs and educational initiatives aimed at combating opioid misuse.

Additionally, the council has allocated $210,000 in the 2024-2025 budget to the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department's Med First program, designed to streamline access to medications for those struggling with opioid use disorder. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department is also organizing a community event on September 5 to promote awareness and education about overdose prevention.

The proclamation serves as a call to action for community members to educate themselves on overdose signs, response practices, and available local treatment options, reinforcing the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding substance use disorders.