Ford Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day, Calls for Further Action to Save Lives

CHICAGO – With Aug. 31 marking International Overdose Awareness Day, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is remembering those we have lost and calling for further action on all levels of government to support those in need and save lives.

“Every life is precious, and we have to work together to stop these preventable tragedies,” Ford said. “I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of our harm reduction community. Overdose deaths are dropping nationwide, but we have to keep pushing forward – especially here in Chicago, where we do not yet see a decline in overdose deaths among Black men. We have to close this gap, but we cannot have new hurdles thrown up cruelly by Washington.”

In recent months, amongst other healthcare cuts, the Trump Administration has looked to delay and possibly cut support for lifesaving addiction and overdose services. This critical funding is used to curb overdose deaths caused by fentanyl, methamphetamines and other drugs.

“Instead of building on our positive steps forward, Trump’s dangerous policies are threatening our progress,” Ford said. “His Medicaid cuts will strip treatment from families and destabilize clinics that rely on Medicaid funding. Even worse, his plan to lock up people experiencing homelessness and addiction is a direct attack on harm reduction and on public health. This cruel, punitive approach will senselessly cost lives.

“This crisis is not a crime wave – it is a public health emergency,” Ford said. “Jail cells will not end overdoses. But commonsense treatment, Medicaid and harm reduction will.

“Today we remember the lives we have lost, as well as the lives that still hang in the balance,” Ford said. “Let’s work together and do everything we can to save them.”

For more information, please contact RepFord@LaShawnFord.com.