International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31^st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdoses and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

It’s important that we bring awareness to this issue not only so we can help, but so we can save people in the future from making the same mistakes of people in the past. Overdosing is not something to be taken lightly – it’s extremely deadly. The more we can raise awareness, the better chance we have of preventing these deaths.

What Is International Overdose Awareness Day?

IOAD is a global event that’s held on August 31^st. It’s meant to raise awareness of the critical issue of drug overdosing. From the years 2000 - 2014, the rate of drug overdoses in America have increased by 137% up to 47,055 deaths. It is important that people realize just how big of a problem this is. It’s not just the stereotypical drugs such as heroin or crystal meth that are causing these overdoses – 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids.

International Overdose Awareness Day came to fruition in 2001 by founders Sally J. Finn and Peter Streker. They planned to have a local event and give ribbons out to people wishing to commemorate someone they know who had passed away due to an overdose. That first year saw 6,000 ribbons given out throughout the state and beyond. The following year, the designed the steel badge and word of the day had spread to New Zealand as well as across Australia.

As time went on, International Overdose Awareness Day received more and more attention. Since 2012, it has been organised by the non-profit Australian public health body Penington Institute, which advances health and community safety by connecting substance use research to practical action. International Overdose Awareness Day helps individuals and the wider community through research analysis, promotion of effective strategies, workforce education, and public awareness activities.

Helping Teach the Signs

IOAD is not only about bringing awareness to the issue – it’s about teaching people what causes an overdose, what the signs of an overdose are and how you can help. By spreading this knowledge, we can help prevent overdose deaths from happening.

The fact is drug use is on the rise. While we need to utilize measures to stop people from abusing drugs, we need to also help prevent overdose deaths from taking place in the meantime. That’s why in anticipation for International Overdose Awareness Day, Holy Cross Services will be releasing blogs with information regarding overdosing includes signs and symptoms, as well as what to do if you encounter someone who is overdosing.

IOAD is a great way of bringing awareness towards the epidemic that is drug overdoses. For more information on all the great things being done by International Overdose Awareness Day, you can find more information here. Remember, if you know someone who is struggling with drug abuse, Kairos Healthcare can be the help they need.