SENATE RESOLUTION 5

(By Senators Baldwin, Roberts, Beach, Caputo, Woelfel, Plymale, Stollings, Lindsay, Jeffries, Brown, Romano, Smith, and Sypolt)

[Introduced January 12, 2022]

Designating January 12, 2022, Prevention Day at the Legislature.  

Whereas, West Virginia families and communities, along with the rest of the nation, continue to face the public health crisis of substance use disorder; and

Whereas, In West Virginia, substance use disorder has affected nearly every family; and

Whereas, In 2020, 110.8 million doses of Schedule II, III, IV, and V drugs were dispensed, 75.5 million of which were opioids; and

Whereas, 1,336 West Virginians lost their lives by overdose in 2020; 1,136 of them due to opioids—a situation only made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, West Virginia organizations, universities, agencies, churches, individuals, and communities have come together to address this crisis in many forms, from quick response, treatment, and recovery to prevention; and

Whereas, Six regional Prevention Lead Organizations comprise the Prevention First Network, whose goal is to prevent the onset of mental, emotional, behavioral, and substance use related problems; and

Whereas, The Prevention First Network focuses on drug use prevention as an integral part of the continuum of care and a critical part of thriving communities; and

Whereas, Certified prevention specialists work with communities to address challenges with substance use and access to services, helping communities address them with evidence-based and culturally responsive practices; and

Whereas, Evidence-based prevention interventions are cost-effective, decreasing costs related to substance use disorder treatment, substance use related crime, lost work productivity, and related healthcare costs; and

Whereas, The Prevention First Network leverages available federal funding to accomplish their mission; and

Whereas, The Prevention First Network seeks to understand the science of addiction and address root problems to prevent all forms of substance use disorder; and

Whereas, The Legislature has previously commended citizens in recovery from substance use disorder but has not as often recognized the professionals and volunteers who seek to prevent the disorder; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That’s the Senate hereby designates January 12, 2022, as West Virginia Prevention Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of the Prevention First network.