CDC created a suite of naloxone materials and tools to support your efforts to discuss naloxone with patients. These tools can help clinicians inform patients, families, and/or caregivers about the value of naloxone in a non-stigmatizing manner. Studies show that naloxone may not always be offered when risk factors are present, such as taking higher doses of opioids, prescriptions for benzodiazepines in addition to opioids, or history of overdose.
Kim Lacey is based in San Luis Obispo, the traditional land of the Salinan people, in what is colonially known as Atascadero, CA, where she organized the SLO Overdose Awareness Day event last year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 932,000 people have died since 1999 from an overdose, unfortunately. You could get in touch with first responders in your area, perhaps ask them to do a demonstration of how to use naloxone, or do a question-answer session about overdose signs. If you aren’t sure, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose—you could save a life.
Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. In honor of this International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31), help protect your loved ones from a fatal overdose by keeping lifesaving naloxone with you and at home. In honor of this International Overdose Awareness Day, help protect your loved ones from a fatal overdose by keeping lifesaving naloxone with you & at home. By educating ourselves and others, advocating for effective policies, and offering a supportive hand, we can help reduce overdose deaths. International Overdose Awareness Day aims to prevent overdoses by providing valuable resources for raising awareness. It also honors individuals who have lost their lives to overdose and recognizes the grief experienced by their family and friends.
National Women’s Health Week May 11 – 17
In addition to this toolkit, a campaign resources overview provides a list of materials available for download and print. Understanding how to test substances for fentanyl before use can help reduce the risk of unintentional overdose. Experts consider fentanyl the primary cause of overdose-related death in the United States. Misusing opioid medication or using other opioid substances can carry a risk of unintentional overdose. But there are things you can do to help reduce this risk and the risk of opioid-related death. This Overdose Awareness Day, let’s work to reduce the stigma and help save lives, because everyone deserves the chance to recover.
Drug-Free Pain Management Awareness Month
Our programs offer a range of services, including prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery support. We understand that each person’s journey is unique, and our compassionate, evidence-based approach is tailored to meet the needs of those we serve. August 31st marks Overdose Awareness Day, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the devastating impact of drug overdoses and the importance of prevention, education, and support for those affected. As we observe this day, it is crucial to recognize that the overdose crisis touches every community, every family, and every individual, regardless of background or circumstance. It includes celebrations of freedom, culture, health, and global awareness.
Remembering those we’ve lost to overdose, and acknowledging the deep grief of their loved ones, is a central aspect of this day. It serves as a heartfelt reminder that behind every statistic is a human life, a family, friends—a world forever changed. The loss has a tremendous impact on the loved ones of those who do not survive overdose, as Lacey knows from her own son’s death. “Ending stigma makes it easier for people with substance use issues, as well as affected families and friends, to seek help and to stop feeling alone,” she says.
National Suicide Prevention Week
Communities worldwide organize memorial services, educational events, and advocacy campaigns. Overdose prevention is a CDC priority that impacts families and communities. NFP’s website is a hub for each campaign’s theme and provides resources for people and communities that want to hold events.
National Facial Protection Month
- To shine a light on the problem, International Overdose Awareness Day is observed globally on August 31 each year.
- This dedication and unification help to improve life outcomes for many in the addiction community.
- Many people needing treatment were wary of going to hospitals, where they might share close quarters with COVID patients.
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. In 2024 alone, the CDC reported over 100,000 overdose deaths, with opioids—especially synthetic opioids like fentanyl—accounting for the majority. CDC and partners celebrate health awareness and observances each year. They are powerful focal points to rally around and make a difference.
This global event has expanded into Overdose Awareness Week and even Overdose Awareness Month in many communities, creating extended opportunities for education, prevention, and healing. Educational initiatives can help raise awareness about overdose prevention and the importance of treatment. Sharing information about naloxone, recognizing overdose symptoms, and other available resources can also help save lives and reduce stigma surrounding addiction. International Overdose Awareness Day, observed globally on August 31st, brings crucial attention to one of today’s most pressing public health issues—overdose. At Comprehensive Healthcare, we are dedicated to providing support, treatment, and hope to individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
- Here are 5 different ways you could show your support for International Overdose Awareness Day 2025.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) designates a week every January as National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.
- Learn more about how we combat stigma and prioritize person-centered recovery on our Addiction Treatment Center in Maryland page.
- Since 2012, this international event has been coordinated by the Penington Institute.
The month also marks days such as World Photography Day, National Sports Day, and World Breastfeeding Week, each focusing on public awareness and learning. For students preparing for competitive exams, remembering these dates is helpful, as they are often asked in the General Awareness section. An overdose happens when the body is overwhelmed by a substance or a combination of substances, exceeding its tolerance level. This can occur with prescription medications, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Misuse of these substances increases the risk of overdose, which is a critical and life-threatening situation. Recognizing the early warning signs is essential, as they can be the thin line between life and death.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than 16 million adults in the U.S. battle depression. This month-long awareness campaign allows people to realize they’re not alone in struggling with depression. It’s also an easy time to learn about the root causes of depression and how to seek treatment.
National Doctor’s Day March 30
If their breathing is slow, strained, or stopped altogether, rescue breathing awareness and health observances observances drug overdose techniques can help until emergency services arrive. Shout out to see if anyone nearby has training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and, if not, prepare to step in. It’s important to understand that these changes could result from various other causes. People shouldn’t take them at face value as evidence of opioid misuse.
Lifestyle Quizzes
Organizations such as the American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide (AFSP) use this week to promote education on the signs of depression and other conditions that can result in suicidal tendencies. AFSP also provides information and resources about how to prevent these tragedies. Dry January is recognized as a time for abstaining from alcohol for the first month of the New Year to promote healthy activities and a fresh start. This works well for “sober curious” people who want to see how taking a break from drinking alcohol can impact their lives. To keep things moving in the right direction, World Breast Cancer Research Day is observed annually on August 18.