(Boston
Orange 摘譯) 麻州州長奚莉
(Maura Healey)今 (29)日發信給美國總統拜登，要求他在8月31日，國際關注藥物過量日這天降半旗，藉以紀念數以百萬計因藥物過量而失去生命的美國人。
該行動將允許麻州降半旗。
奚莉州長指出，藥物過量危機奪走了數以百萬計的美國人，以及麻州居民的生命，對他們的家人、社區及整個州和國家，都造成極大打擊。
從1999年以來，有100多萬名美國人因為藥物過量而失去生命。過去這10年來，麻州也因為藥物過量，失去2萬2000人，其中2022年就有2357人。國際關注藥物過量日在每年8月31日這天，紀念這些令人心碎的損失，認可這公共衛生危機對家庭、朋友及社區所造成的影響。
奚莉政府指出，他們致力採取公共衛生方法來解決藥物濫用所導致的失調問題，以拯救生命。2024會計年度預算投資7億元對抗濫用藥物，200萬元用於讓人們更容易獲得以證據為基礎的醫藥援助治療。
包括Team
Sharing，麻州上癮康復組織
(MA Organization for Addiction Recovery，簡稱MOAR)，以及學習適應(Learn
to Cope)等組織都支持麻州政府的作法。
Governor
Healey Requests President Biden Lower Flags in Observance of International
Overdose Awareness Day
BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey
has sent a letter to President Biden
requesting that he lower flags to half-mast on August 31, 2023, in observance
of International Overdose Awareness Day and in remembrance of the millions of
American lives lost to the overdose crisis. This action would allow Massachusetts
to lower its flags as well.
“The overdose crisis has taken
the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans and Massachusetts
residents. This loss has been devastating to their families, to their
communities, and to our entire state and country,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are truly in mourning –
and lowering the flags on International Overdose Awareness Day will help us
to honor their memories, call attention to the overdose crisis that
continues to ravage our communities, and break down the stigma that prevents too many
people from seeking lifesaving treatment. We are grateful to the Biden
Administration for their importance work to address substance use disorder and
hope that they will consider taking this step to raise awareness.”
“International Overdose Awareness
Day is an important moment to remember those who we’ve lost to the disease of
the substance use disorder and recommit ourselves to doing the difficult work
to challenge stigma and expand access to care,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Lowering the flags in
observance of this solemn day will help us
raise awareness of this public health crisis, which we know
disproportionately impacts Black, Latino and Indigenous residents.”
More than one million Americans
have lost their lives to overdose since 1999. Over the past decade,
Massachusetts has lost 22,000 people to overdoses, including 2,357 residents in
2022 alone. International Overdose Awareness Day is recognized annually on
August 31 to remember these heartbreaking losses and recognize the pain of
families, friends and communities impacted by this public health crisis.
The Healey-Driscoll
Administration is committed to taking a public health approach to addressing
substance use disorder and saving lives. The FY24 operating budget signed by
Governor Healey invests over $700 million to combat substance use disorder,
including $22 million for low-threshold housing that includes wraparound
services, $2 million to make evidence-based, medication-assisted treatment more
accessible, including three new mobile methadone delivery programs and other
new medication units across the state, funding to improve access to
medications for opioid use disorder in correctional settings.
Statements of support
Cheryl Juaire, Founder, Team
Sharing, Inc.
“For years, our members at Team
Sharing, Inc. have been advocating for flags to be lowered in honor of
International Overdose Awareness Day. This is an important way to memorialize
those who we have lost and make sure those who are suffering with substance use
disorder or grieving loved ones know that they are not alone. We’re grateful to
Governor Healey for heeding our calls and urging President Biden to take action.”
Maryanne Frangules,
Executive Director, MA Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR)
“Lowering the flag for
International Overdose Awareness Day is an important way to honor and remember
the lives that have been lost to overdoses, and it would be uplifting
for the families who will forever grieve the loss of their loved
ones. It is also an important way to break down the stigma that too many
people face when trying to receive help for substance use disorder. We
hope that President Biden will take this important step to truly acknowledge
this day by lowering flags across the country.”
Joanne Peterson, Founder and
Executive Director, Learn to Cope
“I am really encouraged and I hope to see the flag lowered for International Overdose Awareness Day in Massachusetts and around the country. For decades we have been losing lives to this crisis. It’s important to show empathy, compassion and support, these are human lives, family members that we have loved and lost. Families deserve comfort for loss to this crisis like any other loss due to a mass casualty. We thank Governor Healey for requesting our flags to be flown at half-staff and we hope President Biden approves. It’s time to show this country that our people are not forgotten, not just numbers. The loss continues and we need to show compassion and honor the loss so many of us have experienced over decades.
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