Danville council proclaims Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month and National Disabilities Awareness Month

The Danville Town Council on March 17 presented proclamations recognizing March 2026 as Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month and National Disabilities Awareness Month.

April Rivero of the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse accepted the first proclamation and described the group's local work, including naloxone distribution units at San Ramon Valley libraries and police departments, weekly outreach and training, and use of EMS data through ODMAP to track overdoses. “We continue to focus on things that we can do ourselves to minimize the overdose numbers,” Rivero said, noting four fatal overdoses in the valley since January 2023 and ongoing community training and naloxone availability.

Alice Power, project manager for the coalition’s San Ramon Valley program, thanked the council and described the coalition’s prevention work. Youth ambassador Sabrina Torek said awareness and removing stigma are central to helping people access treatment and prevention resources.

Later the council presented a proclamation to Norlin Giles, executive director of Friday Night Out, and participant Leah Sidur recognizing National Disabilities Awareness Month. Giles described Friday Night Out’s programs, which began during the pandemic with virtual meetings and now include monthly in-person events and partnerships used to support employment and social inclusion. The council singled out local efforts to increase inclusion and cited Vice Mayor Robert Stor’s advocacy for housing for people with disabilities.

Both proclamations were ceremonial; no formal policy actions followed at the meeting.