Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing Overdose Awareness Day
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim August 31, 2025, as Overdose Awareness Day in the City of Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proclaim August 31, 2025, as Overdose Awareness Day in the City of Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager
Katie Strozyk, Opioid Response Coordinator, Thurston County Public Health
Nolan O’Connell, Chair, Olympia Youth Council
Shruthi Lingham-Nattami, Councilmember, Olympia Youth Council
Toby Wilson, Councilmember, Olympia Youth Council
Background and Analysis:
Each year hundreds of Washington State residents die from drug overdose deaths. There were 122 drug overdose deaths in Thurston County in 2023. Overdose deaths remain high across the state, impact urban, suburban, and rural communities and disproportionately affect marginalized populations.
Overdose Awareness Day shines a light on the need to treat drug-related harm as a public health issue and invest in evidence-based practices that save lives and build communities. It is also a day for Olympians to stand beside those who have lost loved ones to an overdose and those who have a substance use disorder and are diligently working toward recovery.
As a response to concerns regarding overdoses of young people in the community, the Olympia Youth Council expressed a desire to create a Public Service Announcement, which they will debut at this meeting.
Attachments:
Proclamation