City Mayor Jimmy Poss and County Mayor Tim Stribling on behalf of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition have signed proclamations recognizing the month of October 2017 as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Awareness Month. Resolution WHEREAS, abuse and dependence of prescription painkillers, heroin and other opioids have led to an opioid epidemic in the City of Smithville and our state; and WHEREAS, prenatal exposure to opioids may result in opioid dependency called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) when the infant is born; and WHEREAS, babies with NAS experience irritability, low birth weight, respiratory condition, tremors and seizures, feeding difficulties and other health-related challenges; and WHEREAS, the number of babies in Tennessee reported with a diagnoses of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome from January 01, 2017 to July 30, 2017 was 565, with approximately 9 percent being born in the Upper Cumberland Region; and WHEREAS, the rate of NAS in inpatient settings increased by 15 fold between 2005 and 2015, resulting in three infants per day being born drug dependent; and WHEREAS, The highest rates of NAS in 2017 have occurred in the Northeast and Upper Cumberland Health Regions, and Sullivan County. WHEREAS, 72 percent of infants born with NAS in Tennessee were exposed to at least one prescription drug with or without an illicit drug; and WHEREAS, prevention education, public awareness and knowledge of available treatment resources are crucial in reducing the physical, social and economic impact of NAS. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tim Stribling, Mayor of DeKalb County, do hereby recognize the month of October 2017 as NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jimmy Poss, Mayor of the City of Smithville, do hereby recognize the month of October 2017 as NEONATAL ABSTIENCE SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH 2017 Throughout the City of Smithville and we encourage all Smithvillians to join us in the fight to stem the tide of opioid abuse and dependence – especially as it related to mothers and newborns – by learning about NAS prevention and treatment.