8 Important Ways You Can Support Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st.

I find this to be the most heartbreaking part of working with families. It seems so unfair and so unnecessary.

Yet, we want to remember those gone too soon due to an overdose.

Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: After adjustments for delayed reporting, the predicted number of drug overdose deaths showed an increase of 0.5% from the 12 months ending in December 2021 to the 12 months ending in December 2022, from 109,179 to 109,680. The biggest percentage increase in overdose deaths in 2022 occurred in Washington and Wyoming, where deaths were up 22%.

International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.

The International Overdose Website states, “We acknowledge this day to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends, remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of a drug overdose.

We must face the roots of drug use and have quality treatment available.

Why can’t we stop these unnecessary deaths, including making treatment accessible for everyone?

Prevention is possible. We can save lives.

Your love and commitment can help your son or daughter live a healthy life. They can be the person they were meant to be.

Here are eight ways to learn more about overdose awareness and, in the same vein, how you can keep your family members safe.

1. Keep Naloxone handy

You may be the first responder if your child overdoses. Naloxone has been shown to help save lives.

From Pat Aussem, here are some ways to learn more about naloxone, “My recommendation for families is to go to a site called Get Naloxone Now. They have a wonderful animated training program on how to recognize the differences between an overdose and someone who is high. They explain all the steps that are involved in administering Narcan (the brand name) or naloxone.

It takes you through rescue breathing. In addition, it explains what the rescue position is, when to call 911, how to put the nasal spray together, how to use the nasal spray and the importance of getting emergency help. There is a possibility that the Narcan can wear off, and the person can go back into an overdose state.

There is another website called Hope and Recovery. They have a zip code locator for finding naloxone training. Many organizations around the country have put their information on that website.  You can search and find something close by.”

For more information, read my interview with Pat Aussem on How Naloxone Can Help Save Lives.

2. Watch One Decision about overdose

Watch One Decision: A Short Film about Opioid Addiction

“Educate yourself before deciding a drug should be a part of your life.” This is the message often repeated by those recovering from addiction. “One Decision” is the heartfelt personal stories of people affected by opioid abuse.

You’ll learn about the devastation, tragedy, and hope that resulted from their experiences. Their journeys will inspire you to make more thoughtful decisions about your future.

Adam Stewart created this film as an Eagle Scout Service Project for Boy Scout Troop 70 in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

3. Support for families who have lost a loved one due to overdose

Many people do survive and recover from their drug or alcohol use. Yet, far too many young people continue to lose their lives due to an overdose. It’s a sad statement about our world that my article When Addiction Wins: Support for Grieving Families is one of the most read articles on my blog.

Two support groups that can be helpful are

1) The Compassionate Friends: Compassionate Friends is about transforming the pain of grief into the elixir of hope. It takes people out of the isolation society imposes on the bereaved and lets them express their grief naturally. With the shedding of tears, healing comes. And the newly bereaved get to see people who have survived and are learning to live and love again. -~Simon Stephens, founder of The Compassionate Friends

2) GRASP: Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing: GRASP is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a safe, non-judgmental forum so that people grieving the loss of a loved one to substance use may share their feelings, stories, struggles, strategies, and support with each other, honor their loved ones and grieve their losses. We have 125 face-to-face peer-led support groups across the U.S. and Canada and Facebook members in Canada, Australia, India, and the UK. Please visit our website for more information: www.grasphelp.org.

3) The Partnership to End Addiction has Grief Resources for Families, including a support group, videos, and recommended reading. Learn more here. 

4. Light a candle to show support for International Overdose Day

On August 31st, light a candle for someone who has been lost to addiction. Many families are grieving their sons or daughters who have died much too young.

Let’s take a moment to remember those families who have lost a loved one because of an overdose. This epidemic has been heartbreaking for families. Far too many have lost loved ones due to an overdose.

5. Overdose Awareness 30-Second Ad

Watch this overdose Awareness 30-second ad.

The film reminds us that if someone has taken drugs like pills or alcohol and is making unusual snoring or gurgling sounds in their sleep, they may be overdosing.

Try hard to wake them. If you can’t, call an ambulance immediately.

6. Medication-Assisted Treatment

Encourage family members interested in recovering from opioid use to ask a doctor if medication-assisted treatment is right for them. There are several medications available now that can help prevent an overdose.

These medications help prevent cravings and save lives. They can be a powerful way to support treatment, especially in conjunction with a therapy program. Using medications can help reduce the rate of a slip or relapse.

7. #EndOverdose

Spread overdose awareness on social media. The hashtag #EndOverdose has been suggested to build momentum for August 31.

You could start or join a Twitter chat or share your thoughts and ideas on other platforms. In addition, you can learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day here.

8. Show family support

Do reach out to families who have lost loved ones due to addiction. It is painful to lose a loved one to addiction, and it can also be a very lonely place because of the stigma.

People often do not know what to do or say. Families feel ashamed at times to acknowledge the cause of death.

Letting someone know you care can make someone feel less alone and help them get through another day. Families who have lost a loved one to substance use need our love and support.

Furthermore, help the cause by increasing awareness and decreasing stigma on International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31st.

Above all, it will take all of us concerned about this issue to continue spreading awareness.

The tragedy of overdose death is preventable.

What are your thoughts on how we can prevent drug overdose?

This article was updated on August 24, 2023.