Approved as to Form and Legality
City Attorney’s Office
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM SHENG THAO
Resolution urging Alameda county, the state and federal governmetn to provide funding to delveop Support a Comprehensive and Holistic Response to the Overdose and Opioid Epidemic in the City of Oakland WHEREAS, the United States has seen a dramatic and historic rise in drug overdose deaths since the beginning of the 21st century; in a 12-month period ending in December 2020, more than 93,000 people nationwide have died from drug overdose, the largest number of drug overdose deaths for a 12-month period ever recorded; and WHEREAS, according to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, in 2020 the State of California saw 5,502 deaths due to Opioid overdose, 71.7% of which were caused by fentanyl; and WHEREAS, according to Public Health data, Oakland has seen the largest increase in Opioid use and overdose in Alameda County, with 716 overdose emergencies in 2020 alone; and WHEREAS, Synthetic opioids and illicitly manufactured fentanyl entering the drug supply and overdose deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants have also been increasing; and WHEREAS, the persistence and severity of the drug overdose epidemic calls for innovative and patient-centered strategies to prevent deaths and reduce other harms from drug use, while expanding access to evidence-based treatment; and WHEREAS, overdose prevention sites provide linkages to substance use disorder treatment, primary health care, and other services, reduce public drug use and improperly discarded syringes, and reduce barriers to care for marginalized and hard-to-reach populations, including people who engage in sex work, people who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, and people with a history of incarceration; and WHEREAS, around the world, these sites have been established in response to community recognition of local need; the goals of OPS are primarily to prevent deaths and reduce harms from drug use that could otherwise result in transmission of HIV and/or hepatitis B and C, skin infections, and other ongoing health challenges; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland recognizes a public health emergency in the growing addiction and overdose crisis being heavily fueled by an increase of fentanyl sales; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland calls upon the County, State, and Federal Government to provide more funding for a comprehensive and holistic response to the addiction and overdose crisis in Oakland; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution will be submitted to Oakland’s Federal, State, and County representatives as well as the County Public Health Department.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO AND PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
Acting City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the City of Oakland, California 3182064v2
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