County Commissioners and representatives from Moms Against Drugs and the Drug Epidemic Awareness Walk Across America turned the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign purple today in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.
“Drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental deaths for Americans under the age of 44,” Commissioner Michael Naft said. “Every one of these deaths is a tragedy that could have been avoided, which is why it is so important to let those struggling with substance abuse issues know that help is available.”
Commissioner Naft was at the Welcome sign today with Debi Nadler, co-founder of the Drug Epidemic Awareness Walk Across America and Moms Against Drugs, nonprofit organizations formed by a group of grieving mothers who met on multiple social media platforms, as well as group ambassadors Chantrail Ader and Darcy Patterson, and other supporters.
“International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to remember and a time to act,” Nadler said. “It is a day to pay tribute to those we've lost, and honor the families and friends touched by overdoses.”
According to federal reports, Nevada saw more than 1,000 overdose deaths between October 2020 and October 2021, and more than 105,000 overdose deaths nationwide during that one-year period, which was a new record high. About two-thirds of those deaths involved synthetic opioids, like fentanyl.
The light bulbs, which are usually yellow, surround the border of the sign. Like the famed Las Vegas Strip, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is in unincorporated Clark County.
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