1     
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DECLARING DRUG OVERDOSE

2     
DEATHS TO BE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

3     
2016 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Carol Spackman Moss

6     
Senate Sponsor: Brian E. Shiozawa

7     Cosponsors:
8     Patrice M. Arent
Rebecca Chavez-Houck
Mike K. McKell
Marie H. Poulson
Edward H. Redd
9     

10     LONG TITLE
11     General Description:
12          This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor declares drug overdose
13     deaths in Utah to be a public health emergency and strongly urges Utah's Department of
14     Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Public Safety to
15     immediately direct resources to address this crisis.
16     Highlighted Provisions:
17          This resolution:
18          ▸     emphasizes the importance of the lives of all people living in Utah;
19          ▸     recognizes Utah's high rates of overdose death compared to most states in the country;
20     and
21          ▸     strongly urges Utah's Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and
22     Department of Public Safety to recognize this public health crisis and direct resources to
23     reduce the number of overdose deaths in Utah.
24     Special Clauses:
25          None
26     

27     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:

28          WHEREAS, the lives of all people living in Utah are precious and deeply valued;
29          WHEREAS, the Utah drug overdose death rate represents a public health emergency;
30          WHEREAS, the Legislature of the state of Utah and the Governor establish the priorities for
31     funding, the use of resources, and the actions of departments of Utah state government;
32          WHEREAS, Utah's rate of drug overdose deaths ranks fourth in the nation;
33          WHEREAS, Utah's rate of military veteran drug overdose deaths ranks first in the nation;
34     and
35          WHEREAS, the number of drug-related deaths in Utah exceed the number of deaths from
36     motor vehicle collisions and firearms:
37          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
38     Governor concurring therein, strongly urges Utah's Department of Health, Department of Human
39     Services, and Department of Public Safety to direct appropriate resources to reducing the number of
40     drug overdose deaths in Utah.
41          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Utah's Department
42     of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Public Safety.