HCR 1002 Summary

• Encourages continued collaboration among healthcare providers, law enforcement, educators, public officials, and the Arkansas community to combat prescription drug abuse in the state.

• Documents that Arkansas had 444 drug overdose deaths in 2018 with a rate of 15.7 per 100,000 people, and ranked second nationally in opioid prescriptions at 80.9 per 100 persons compared to the national average of 46.7 per 100 persons in 2019.

• Notes that 17.9% of surveyed Arkansas high school students reported taking prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription or differently than prescribed in 2019.

• Directs the House Chief Clerk to distribute copies of the resolution to 26 organizations and agencies including medical boards, law enforcement associations, healthcare foundations, the Attorney General, and drug prevention organizations.