On August 31st, individuals and organizations all over the world will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, meant to help promote knowledge of counterproductive drug laws and overdose solutions, and remember those who have been affected by a drug overdose.

Drug overdose is currently second only to motor vehicle crashes as a leading cause of death. The number of deaths as a result of drug overdose have steadily increased over the last few decades, further evidence of a failed war on drugs. Deaths from opioid overdose are among those which occur most frequently.

One piece of legislation meant to help address the drug overdose crisis in our country is the Drug Overdose Reduction Act (H.R. 2855). H.R. 2855 would help provide training in overdose treatment to law enforcement officers and others, as well as grant resources towards overdose prevention research and methods (How is an overdose treated?). In addition to these measures, we also need “Good Samaritan” laws which grants immunity to individuals witnessing an overdose so that they may report it without fear of arrest.

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