A Resolution By The Board Of County Commissioners Of Pasco County, Florida, Declaring August 31, 2026, As International Overdose Awareness Day In Pasco County

1:46:58We've got some resolutions to do and consent agenda before lunch break if we can. Um for all those that didn't have information to all the commissioners, uh please reach out to us. We'll get you the information if you want to send us your information. And there'll be a long talk about this a little bit later today. With that I'd like to move to R S one uh Um resolution for Commissioner Oakley on International Overdose Awareness Day. We're gonna try to do these very quickly.

1:47:26Okay, very good. Resolution number CA 26-332, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring August 31st, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day in Pasco County. Whereas the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners observes International Overdose Awareness Day to raise awareness of the overdose crisis, reduce stigma surrounding substance misuse, honor those who have lost their lives to overdose,

1:47:57and acknowledge the grief of families and communities affected by this devastating issue. And whereas overdose has touched the lives of many individuals, families, friends, and communities throughout the nation, including Pasco County, and whereas substance use disorder is a health condition that can affect anyone, and with support, treatment, and access to resources, recovery is possible. And whereas Pasco County is committed to To fostering a caring

1:48:27and supportive community that promotes education, prevention, treatment, recovery, and hope for those affected by the substance misuse. And whereas we are committed to increasing awareness of overdose prevention, reducing the stigma associated with this disorder, promoting harm reduction strategies, and expanding access to treatment services. With a firm belief that collaborative efforts are key to achieving these goals. And whereas community partnerships

1:48:57among healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, first responders, recovery organizations, faith-based groups, and individuals with lived experience play an important role in supporting wellness and saving lives. And whereas Whereas International Overdose Awareness Day provides an opportunity to honor and remember loved ones who have been lost, acknowledge those who continue their recovery journey, and offer encouragement to individuals and families seeking

1:49:28support. And whereas, through the board's support of the recommendation from the opioid task force over the last four years, 34 projects have been funded to positively impact the community in the abatement of overdose deaths, supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery for those suffering from subject. Substance use disorder. And whereas the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners encourages all Pasco County citizens to participate in lighting their homes and public

1:49:58buildings in purple to promote awareness, understanding, prevention, treatment, recovery, and healing. nine. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares August thirty first, two thousand twenty six as International Overdose Awareness Day in Pasco County, done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present in voting this twenty fifth day of August, two thousand and twenty six.

1:50:26Move approval. All in favor say aye. Commissioner Oakley. Yeah. I'm looking out here at all these people lined up behind you.

1:50:37How many more people do we have involved in overdose? It's

1:50:41a

1:50:41whole community

1:50:41effort, Commissioner.

1:50:43Yeah. And it is. It's it's a family effort, a friend effort, community effort. We we can't seem to do enough to help those that are fall into overdose. Very, very important. Happens in all families. Just some people don't see anything happening good tomorrow. They they lean on something to solve that issue right now and it's the wrong way. So But I I thank you and each and every one of you for the work you do that

1:51:13possibly saves a life down the road for a citizen of Pasco County.

1:51:19So Commissioner, in the interest of time I really want to share uh the spotlight with Eric Monroe from our uh Mobile Integrated Health team and also with Kristen Ford from our human services team who are really the heroes. and demonstration of the impact that they're creating in our community to improve conditions for all residents in Pasco.

1:51:38Yeah, Paula.

1:51:40Good morning. I just want to say thanks to the board and the uh opioid task force again for funding um, you know, part of our project here. Um I'm happy I supervise our mobile integrated health team. We have paramedics, social workers, and a nurse practitioner on the team. We go out, we pride ourselves on giving folks that access to care. So uh anytime a overdose or a substance use person, um our frontline crew is gonna run on them. We'll go on the uh backside follow up to ensure that they get connected to uh the appropriate resources that they need. And we can also

1:52:10offer uh some uh medicated assisted treatment, uh prescription refills and stuff like that with our nurse nurse practitioner. We go we want to identify 'em as a whole. We know that they're not just an overdose, we know that they're a person, so we approach it as a medical and social program that we go out there and help them uh with those uh with those things. So I'll uh turn it over to some of the other community partners. We got some so many in here.

1:52:34We're like super late. We need to move if you don't mind. Okay.

1:52:40I just want to thank you for recognizing Interno International Overdose Awareness Day and for helping raise awareness about the overdose crisis. It's been honor to work alongside the Mobile Integrated Health. in addressing this issue. I'm incredibly proud of everyone involved in the mission to prevent overdose and as someone in recovery myself and as a certified recovery peer specialist, I know firsthand that a overdose does not have to be the end of someone's story. Well

1:53:04thank you and congratulations. Yeah.

1:53:14If you will stay at the board

1:53:15stage

1:53:15there. As you can tell there's a little

1:53:18crowded. Great great support.

1:53:25No, you're good.

1:53:31Side to decide.

1:53:37Right, everybody ready?

1:53:46Yeah, there you are. Okay.

1:53:51Mr. Penny for Pasco.