Announcement: Today is a BIG DAY for Overdose Prevention!

Dear Friends,

Today is such an exciting, important day for all of us who care about overdose prevention! I’m thrilled to announce two significant things:

1. The Drug Policy Alliance released a landmark report on the national overdose crisis, “Preventing Overdose, Saving Lives.” This report assesses the crisis, examines policy solutions available and how such policies have been successfully implemented across the country. The report recommends a range of solutions, including expanded access to naloxone and “Good Samaritan” immunity laws.
   
   To read or download the report, visit http://www.drugpolicy.org/homepage.cfm
   
   
2. Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) introduced the groundbreaking Drug Overdose Reduction Act of 2009. This bill—the first of its kind—will allocate resources to community groups and public health agencies to implement overdose prevention and education programs, including expanded naloxone distribution.

This is an exciting time to be an overdose prevention supporter. There is fantastic progress on the horizon. I personally invite you to read this terrific report and share the information and ideas with your friends and local legislators.

Drug Policy Alliance remains committed to the fight to save lives from being lost to accidental overdose. Working together, we can all make a difference. The national dialogue about preventing overdose fatalities starts with all of us, right now, today.

-Meghan Ralston
Purple Ribbons for Overdose Prevention, creator

P.S. Thank you, each and every one of you, for so incredibly quickly growing Purple Ribbons for Overdose Prevention to over 5,000 people from around the world. Amazing. Thank you.