Proclaiming awareness

Sallisaw Mayor Ernie Martens last week signed a proclamation declaring Saturday as International Overdose Awareness Day in Sallisaw. On hand for the signing at the Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library were members of Sallisaw NOW Coalition, City of Sallisaw, People Inc., CREOKS, Central Youth Coalition, KiBois Community Action, Sallisaw Police Department, KXMX The Mix and National Bank of Sallisaw. The proclamation encouraged the promotion of drug prevention and mental health awareness to help contribute to the ending of drug overdose, and for citizens to familiarize themselves with the signs of drug overdose to prevent tragedy from happening. According to the proclamation, Sequoyah County has the 20th highest death rate in the state for drug overdose, with 4 of 5 of the cases having a history of drug abuse, and 1 in 5 having a history of mental illness. An average of 94 Oklahomans are hospitalized for drug overdose, and an average of 12 Oklahomans die of unintentional drug overdose.