On March 10, 2022, Associate Policy Director D’Paul Nibber testified before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee in support of SB 100 – General Provisions – Commemorative Days – Overdose Awareness. This bill requires the Governor annually to proclaim August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day.

From the MACo testimony: 

Our counties, who operate at the frontlines of the opioid epidemic, have used International Overdose Awareness Day to bring renewed focus to the work that must be done to save lives. For example, Baltimore City coordinates an anti-stigma campaign to coincide with the day. Similarly, in 2021, Harford County spread stories of recovery, treatment resources, and recovery events over social media. Howard County provided training on how to administer naloxone, a life-saving medication capable of reversing opioid overdoses.

MACo will be testifying on the bill’s crossfile, HB 319, on March 15, 2022.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
Learn more about MACo’s 2022 Legislative Initiatives.
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.