International Overdose Awareness Day

The last day of August every year marks International Overdose Awareness Day and it is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends that experience overdose.

Since 2001, August 31^st has been a day to commemorate and to:

• Provide an opportunity for people to mourn loved ones
• Provide information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose
• Stimulate discussion about overdose prevention and drug policy
• Inform people around the world about the risk of overdose
• Provide information on the range of support services that are available

Here are a few facts about overdoses:

• North America accounts for about a quarter of all estimated drug deaths worldwide
• Overdose deaths contribute to between roughly a third and a half of all drug-related deaths
• About 70 percent of drug users witness an overdose sometime over the course of their life

If you see a drug overdose, there are a number of things you can do to help, which ultimately, could save a person’s life.

Harmful or deadly overdose effects may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to set in, so you have time to do the following things to help:

• Check the person’s vitals (breathing and heart rate)
• Ask the person questions to keep them awake and alert if they are conscious
• If the person has lost consciousness or is not breathing, call their name to try to get a response
• If you are trained and know how to administer naloxone, do it
• If you are certified to do CPR and it becomes necessary, you should also do it
• Call 911 and follow any directions the operator gives you
• Get more information from the person overdosing or the people nearby, if possible
• Stay calm and assure the person that help is on the way

On International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember those you have died as a result of overdose, and provide support for the family and friends who are in mourning.