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Every August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) brings a global community together to take action on overdose. 

Hold an event, spread the message, take action today.

#IOAD2025 #OverdoseAware #EndOverdose

Overdose is preventable – when we act

What we stand for

International Overdose Awareness Day is driven by the following principles...
Overdose can and must be prevented
Overdose prevention solutions exist – let’s use them.
Criminalizing drug use hasn’t worked. Compassionate alternatives must be pursued.
Policy and legislation must exist to protect individuals and communities, and ensure basic human rights and needs are met.
Everyone has a right to respectful and comprehensive health care.
Only a community-wide effort can end overdose.
Join us to take action on overdose today.

Ways to get involved

Host or join an event

Host or attend an International Overdose Awareness Day event to remember those lost to overdose, learn more about overdose, or advocate for change to end overdose.

Download and share resources

Download our campaign, advocacy and education resources and share messages about overdose and overdose prevention in your community or workplace today.

Remember with a tribute

Post a tribute to a loved one who has passed away from an overdose on the International Overdose Awareness Day tribute page. 

 

Buy merchandise

Buying and wearing merchandise is a great way to show your support and spread the messages of International Overdose Awareness Day.

2024 IOAD Partners' Report

Download our 2024 report now to find out more about the impact of our collective efforts to end overdose.

Tributes from the community

Douglas

My second son and baby! The day still seems so real but yet May 14 will be 3 years since you left us! I will never hear again “Momma it’s your baby boy” or see that heart melting smile, or those beautiful baby blue eyes! I never got to say goodbye, nor hold you 1 more time. The only thing that eases my momma’s heart is I know you no longer suffer from your demons. It’s hard to explain to your baby brother that God saw your suffering and took you home. He just keeps saying God should have saved you. I know your time on this earth was done, and you are free now! I will be forever grateful God chose me to be your momma❤️ I miss and love you more than you will ever know😭

... Dawn

CJ and Joey

Wish y’all knew how much of an impact on us y’all had. Wish you were still here making music and memories. Love love love ya both.

... Traci-Lynn

My loving Brother Anthony aka A.G

To my brother pretty much my twin as the world always said you was me as a guy I was you as a girl lol I can’t believe this shit September feels like last week I miss you so much i hate how I can’t takente back. You will always be the best hopper football player baseball your talents handsome face and smile will never go forgotten I wish I could hear you saying “hey sis”!”wyd”? And see your tall ass come around the corner I can’t believe this is real life brother! I wish I could talk to you and tell you I love you one more time even tho I had just told you a hour before I found out something was wrong with you! Ima keep your name alive as long as I’m here! Love you bro! Till my casket drops and I see you again!!

... Erica

Christopher Allen Arnold

My life suddenly lost all light the day my son was taken from this life. It’s been 7 years since that tragic day, but I still relive the pain every day. I love you my sweet son. I will see you again one day real soon.

Fly high sweet son if mine.

... Lynn

John Paul Lariviere

I couldn’t have asked for a better big brother or a better god father to my son , you had a personality like well mine ahaha , you will forever be my best friend , every time I hear an Eminem song or “leather so soft” by lil Wayne I automatically think of & miss you , until we meet again big bro , just watch over Matthew , we love & miss you more than you could Ever imagine.

... Brittany (brittbratt)

Trevor

Trevor, It’s been 285 days since I last saw you. I have not been the same since that day. There is not a day that goes by when I do not think of you; I remember your goofy laughter and your little jokes. You coming over and raiding my fridge. Laying on my bed with Velcro, watching TV. Working on your climbing moves on the big cedar in the backyard. Brianna Kristine sometimes comes and hangs out with me. We laugh at the rotating frame on the kitchen window, featuring pictures of you cliff-jumping, doing backflips, and loving life. Then the golf pictures come up, and you look so happy! I am not sure why you went back one more time to what almost destroyed you before. Over 3 years free from the barbed wire chain of drugs. Perhaps it’s when you were rushed to the hospital with a severe kidney stone and they gave you opiates. The medic called me after arriving at your place, as you had insisted they let me know. He told me that you were bleeding a lot and that they thought you had hurt yourself. I know you were in a LOT of pain, but perhaps that brought back some of the memories of drugs being fun at one time. I pray that you are at peace and that you can see down, and that you know that you have impacted so many! I love you Trevor. I miss you 💔🫶

... Christine

Overdose affects everyone. From grieving families to spontaneous first responders, the impacts of overdose are far-reaching and fall indiscriminately.

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