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WHEREAS; in 2019, The U.S. had 70,980 overdose deaths representing a more than 400% increase since 1999, and,
WHEREAS; in 2019, Allegheny County reported 570 overdose deaths representing a more than 400% increase since 1998, and,
WHEREAS; the roots of the moralization and stigmatization of individuals suffering from a substance use disorder in America can be traced to the Puritans, and,
WHEREAS; moralization is the process of converting a preference into a value which can contain both positive and negative valences, and,
WHEREAS; the moralization of substance use disorder in the United States has historically taken a negative valence and led to the stigmatization of persons who use drugs, especially if a recurrence of use occurs following a period of recovery, occurs in a person experiencing homelessness, a person with justice-involvement, and more, and,
WHEREAS; the now dominant approach to treating a person with substance use disorder is through a disease model which views addiction as a severe, chronic stage of substance-use disorder, in which there is a substantial loss of self-control, as indicated by compulsive drug taking despite the desire to stop taking the drug, and,
WHEREAS; substance use disorder as seen through the disease model understands that substance use is a chronic, recurring brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences, and,
WHEREAS; stigmatization and moralization of persons who use drugs creates barriers to treatment, care, and harm reduction generally, and,
WHEREAS; our use of language is the fundamental way humans make sense of the world around them and understand the scope of potential action in the world, and,
WHEREAS; the use of positive, person-first language can reduce the stigma surrounding substance use and create a positive valence towards the moralization of individuals suffering from substance use disorder,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Council of the City of Pittsburgh calls upon its representatives and citizens to take the person first pledge and commit to reducing the stigmatization of individuals with a substance use disorder.