The state House of Representatives on Tuesday night passed House Bill 2793 on a 93-4 vote to raise awareness and increase suicide prevention education by working closely with firearms dealers and ranges, pharmacies and health care providers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe this new partnership can find effective ways to raise awareness of suicide and to save precious lives,\u201d said the bill\u2019s prime sponsor, Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, who has worked on suicide prevention measures over the past five years, in a media release. \u201cThese actions are so important because we know that suicide is the most preventable form of death.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
House Bill 2793 now goes to the Senate for further consideration.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Orwall spent much of the 2015 interim making connections and meeting with suicide prevention experts, gun rights organizations, law enforcement, veterans groups, gun safety organizations and survivors on the best ways to tackle the suicide issue in our state.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In Washington, 49 percent of suicides are death by firearms, and 19 percent are death by poisoning or drug overdose. Washington\u2019s suicide rate is 14 percent higher than the national average and it is the eighth leading cause of death among Washingtonians.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cRecognizing the warning signs of someone considering suicide and being able to take action is essential for prevention,\u201d said Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, sponsor of the companion legislation, Senate Bill 6603. \u201cHaving more people prepared to help our community members in crisis will save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Orwall hopes her bill will impact the state\u2019s suicide rate and save lives by raising awareness on the signs of suicide and the importance of reducing access to lethal means.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
House Bill 2793 will create a \u201cSafe Homes Task Force\u201d that will be convened by the University of Washington to raise public awareness and increase suicide prevention education among partners in key positions to prevent suicides such as firearms dealers and ranges, pharmacies, health care providers and law enforcement.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Key parts of the bill include:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022 Developing suicide prevention messages and trainings for gun dealers and shooting ranges, pharmacists and drug stores, under the leadership of UW.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022 Creating pilot programs in two Washington counties with the highest rates of suicide to work with local gun stores and pharmacies to provide both suicide prevention training and distribution of secure storage devices and medication disposal kits.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022 Updating the firearms safety pamphlet, in consultation with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, to incorporate suicide awareness and prevention materials.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022 Requiring pharmacists to undergo a three-hour training that includes content of lethal means.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022 Surveying gun stores and ranges to gather information on what incentives may be effective to engage in the Safer Homes Program.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Orwall\u2019s measure has the backing of the National Rifle Association, the 2nd Amendment Foundation, the state Department of Veterans Affairs, the Washington State Pharmacy Association, Seattle Children\u2019s hospital, the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Washington, the UW School of Pharmacy and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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