International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died from overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

That’s a wrap for #IOAD2023 – thank you to the global community that made this year’s IOAD bigger than ever.

The IOAD 2023 theme “Recognizing those people who go unseen” is about acknowledging people in our communities who are affected by overdose but might go unseen in the crisis. Learn more about the 2023 campaign here.

Time to Remember. Time to Act.

Get involved

Host or attend an International Overdose Awareness Day event. Events are a powerful way to remember those lost to overdose, learn more about overdose, or advocate for change.

Get resources

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

Remember a lost loved one

Post your tribute to a loved one who has passed away from an overdose today.

Donate

Make a donation to International Overdose Awareness Day and help us raise greater awareness of overdose and spread the message that overdose is preventable.

See the 2023 Event Map!

See the events that were held around the world for International Overdose Awareness Day 2023.

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Tributes to lost loved ones

Patrick Burns we all miss your Big Smile your silly ways and always seeing a beanie on your head even in the 100 degree Texas summer. Everyone misses you so much even your cat Mad Ball, Luv ya Mom. July 17, 1993 - January 28, 2013.

Amanda

I would like to honour my youngest daughter Angelica. She was a beautiful person inside and out. The world is a darker place without her in it.

Gloria

December 10, 2016 was a “life changing” day for me and my family!! My beautiful, smart, sensitive only child, Daniel Thomas Perry died this day! He was found lying in his bed after a safety-Check from a family member, after repeated calls; all unanswered. “Toxic Levels” from Psychiatric medications was listed as the cause of death of my sweet boy! Today we live in an over-medicated society where there is a pill for all that ails you. Remembering Daniel Thomas Perry February 16, 1986- December 10, 2016 “Love Never Dies”, you will always be my precious Son Daniel! Love, Mom Posted 29/05/2019

Wendy

Christopher Graser Loving son, father, nephew, uncle, grandson. 😢 Is truly missed. Overdosed 4/28/16 We have not been the same. Forever 33

Johanna

Stefania "Goose" Gone too soon, gone too young. We will not forget you. Your passing is not in vain.

Anna

Travis Witt Forever 25 Never forgotten

Travis

Nobody truly knew or loved Doug the way I did. I am his Mom. Doug was a beautiful soul. He tried to be who he was, but our society tells fathers that they must teach their sons to be "men" and that toxic masculinity is okay. Actually, it kills. Doug could have done some real good in this world. I will miss my baby boy forever.

Karyn

My dear husband Ryan, you were taken from us too soon. June 29, 2012 was the day me and the kids found you. I had no idea you relapsed on heroin. It pains and breaks me to this day to think that you're gone, we were only married a year, our son was only 6 months old. We miss you terribly. I am glad you don't have to suffer and battle with addiction anymore, but that still doesn't bring you back. I never imagined being a widow with two kids at the age of 23. I love you Ryan. I will always love you.

Kristyn

We all love and miss you everyday!

Ashley

Cranbrook BC Canada

Cranbrook B

Colleen

I lost my son Drew, forever 24 on 12/7/16 to a heroin overdose one day after he left a step down program. As a teenager he struggled with anxiety and was prescribed anti-anxiety medication. What I know now is that if someone takes 4 milligrams of Xanax daily for a period of 12 weeks they will likely be addicted. I believe being prescribed this drug in his teens contributed to his downward spiral. Deep down Drew had a fun spirit and he liked to make people laugh. He was likable and funny. I miss him every day, I do not want his passing to be in vain. The number of drug overdoses is growing every day and we need to find a way to bring awareness to this disease.

Canton, MI

Wendy

I miss you more than I could ever have imagined Gripper. I’d give anything to turn back time. I love you.

Mom

Dan, I am writing this tribute to you. Born onto this Earth on October 3, 1990 to two loving parents. The only child. You brought so much joy and love into the lives of others. You were an old soul. Funny, non-judgmental, unselfish to your own detriment, easy going, able to make friends with absolutely anyone, yet you were haunted by demons at a young age. None of us really knew what they were. You acted out and acted the clown to mask whatever you felt. You never, ever wanted to talk about these things. Your parents were very uncomfortable with talking about things like feelings so they loved you by not making you uncomfortable, by covering up for you over and over and by supporting you. You dabbled in drugs at a young age but it didn't seem too much cause for concern. You quickly moved to prescription narcotics and became addicted. As much as we didn't believe it, you were addicted. How could this happen? This phase was very short. Heroin was all over the suburbs. It was easy to get and so much cheaper than painkillers. Now you were a full blown heroin addict. We were all in denial. How could we not be? You were such a beautiful person and you were succumbing to a baffling, cunning, manipulative, personality changing, fatal disease. You became a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of sorts. You hid from us what we shouldn't see and we believed you. You were in and out of rehab. Always excited and fresh. Working the steps. Taking each day as it came. You had us all sit down for a meeting to discuss your future plans. You were so excited to be getting an apartment and to be stepping up in your Dad's business. You were so happy to have had 284 days clean that day. You talked about the many things you had to be grateful for. You talked about how grateful for the fact that God had given you the opportunity to live. We were all so excited, yet still slightly tentative after everything, to have you back. So vibrant. So full of life. You were my best friend in the world. You were my soul mate. I think that God gives us each a soul mate, whether it be the same gender as us or not, in our partner or not, it doesn't matter. Dan was my soul mate. He understood and accepted me for who I was and I, you. You brought a smile to my face each and every single day that I was fortunate enough to know you. Even on the bad days, I believe you still gave me a reason to smile. On June 24, 2014 at around 1pm, I got a call from your mother. She was hysterical. They had just found you at the rough place downtown. Your "friends" left you to overdose without calling 911. There are no "Good Samaritan Laws" in this state. I could rage on about the backwards-ness of that and the fact that first responders here, besides paramedics, don't even carry narcan...but I won't. It doesn't do any good right now. It doesn't bring you back and there are other places that I will rage for you Dan. I will not let your death be in vain. This is a fight that I will NEVER stop fighting. I am so sad, angry, confused, lost, enraged, guilt stricken and horrified that this has happened. It DIDN'T have to happen. Why didn't any of us pick up on the change in your behavior? Why didn't you tell any of us? We would so eagerly have helped. We just wanted you to live. We so badly wanted you to live. Now that you're gone there is such an enormous hole in my soul. I think about you constantly. It doesn't even feel quite real yet. You are all I dream about. But I know that true love never dies and neither do memories. Your love is in my heart and you will be with me forever. Please watch over me, over all of us. We need you so very much. "It has been said that time heals all wounds. I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue, and the pain lessens, but is never gone," -Rose Kennedy

Patty

I don’t remember our last night together. I’m an addict myself, and we were taking several different drugs in a month binge. Xanax was one of the many things we took. I woke up April 25, 2018 to find my best friend and lover dead next to me in bed. And I can not recall anything from the night before, our last words, our last days, I can barely remember anything from the entire month leading to my best friends death. Today my addiction is worse; due to regret. The not knowing. The loss. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. And as bad as I think my life is, it’s even worse for my love. He lost his entire life. I still at least have mine...please don’t end up in my shoes... please know the risk and don’t take it. It’s NOT WORTH your life, or finding that ur favorite person lost theirs. Rip to the love of my life. Starting in 2010 you made my entire world brighter, and I wouldn’t trade those 8 years for anything. U showed me real love and genuine happiness. You taught me so much, this being the biggest and last lesson. Thank you. I miss you baby. Briley Christian Caldwell, 08.23.97-04.25.18 Posted 16/11/2019

Savannah Gladden

My son Calvin Changed Worlds 09/28/2016, he was 22 yrs old. Forever Loved! I hope to make a difference in the lives of others and honor the memory of my son!

Lois

We miss you Jacob. You mattered and I am a better person because of you.. love mom

springfield

diane

I found your website and feel compelled to respond as I sit silently in a hospital room with the love of my life . Watching his vital signs, securing his oxygen tubes, waiting for him to wake up from this nightmare to get back to our wonderful life . Last night someone gave him heroin for the first time, and within minutes he stopped breathing, turned blue, and went into pulmonary arrest. I watched in horror as many people tried to save his life while he remained completely unresponsive . He was intubated in the ambulance and given prompt medical treatment which saved his life. He is mostly unconscious today while he suffers with aspiration pneumonia and withdraw symptoms. He will likely discharge from the hospital in a couple days . We were lucky, very, very lucky! My heart breaks for those whose loved ones don't wake up from this nightmare ....such a sad, sad, waste of precious lives ?. Why do we seek quick fixes? Fast highs from substances that take our souls? I see today is international drug overdose awareness day ---oh how very aware I am now ! I knew better, he knew better, we were not ignorant to the reality that alcohol and drugs destroy and kill! We have lost many family members and friends to addiction and overdose. Yet we give into temptation anyway! We risk our lives anyway, we risk the horror that others must face in our wake ? I pray that God will help and free us all!

Grace

My son Troy Camiolo died on 04/27/18 he was 32 years old. He died from a Heroin/Fentanyl overdose. His sister & brother along with his nieces and nephews miss and love Troy. I love my boy❤️ Posted 27/08/2019

Jill Dubell

I lost my husband and my son's father on October 30th 2016. He had 4 years clean after serving a 4 year sentence. We were going to get us all together in Boston to start over once we had the money to do so..He had a car..a great job and healthy caring friends..he decided to use again one day..it would be the last. It killed him. I fought the battle against heroin to keep him alive just to get him in that jail cell back in July of 2012..and in the end it was indeed dope that would be there for his last breathe. He had such a beautiful heart but a tortured soul..I'm at as much peace as I guess I can be..I hope he is too. Never be another you Brian...never.

Heather

It's been a little over 4 months since your soul left this earth, and not a day has passed that I don't miss you. You were so loved, by more people than you knew & I wish you were still here. It still feels like a bad dream that I'll wake up from & I'll see your name pop up on my phone again with something goofy. You were one of the best friends I've ever had, I got a tattoo for you so you can still come on adventures with me. We never did make it to Denver, but I promise I'll get us there. I know your soul was too bright & beautiful & creative for this world, so I hope you're finally at peace. I love you forever buddy. If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, please - get help.

Victoria

To the Lost Souls (Lisa and Dave) who have passed to the terrible drug heroin. I hope you have at last found peace. You died so young. I hope there are no more to add to the list. It seems all too common here and around the world.

Elizabeth

Your time with us was way too short. But while you were here, you did good! You were loved by many & you loved everyone back. There still are no words to describe what losing you means to us after ten years. Only our love & memories of you are stronger than ever. Mt heart is stilled filled with you.

Kate

Clayton 1972- Dec 18, 2018 You suffered with depression and drug addiction for the last 20 yrs. Last year you got into a bran new apt complex and for the first time in years you had a roof over your head, food in the fridge and seemed to be doing so well. Last Christmas was wonderful as our little family all got together at your place to celebrate. I was thanking God every night for that year, it was truly a miracle. It was so comforting to know you were living a normal life. Chris and I wanted to drive down last March for my birthday to celebrate with you and your brother , but you had moved out and gone back to your old life. You told me when I spoke with you a couple of weeks ago that you were living with a friend and at that time we made plans for Xmas. You had a court date Dec 18 up here so Chris and I were expecting you for dinner , instead the police arrived with the news that your body was found in a tent early that afternoon. The temperature the night before was -18. I feel that had I been educated about addiction and been more supportive you wold still be with us. Instead I believe that addiction was about just making your mind up not to use. I am so sorry that I will never have the opportunity to make this up to you and tell you how very much I love you.

Posted 26/12/2018

Clayton Lorin Green

Nicklaus Maximillian Ogborne
September 1990 - August 2018

Posted 06/03/2019

Eveline Ogborne

To: Louie, It is difficult to believe that you are gone. It was a tragic day that you passed away from us. We know you are at peace from all the pain and suffering that you experienced as a result of addiction. We miss your sense of humor, your Italian imitations and the kids and I speak about you often with love. You will always be in our hearts.

Debbie

Gary Murphy. You were my other. Fartface for life. An actor and true genius. I forgot tomorrow is not promised. Please reach out if you are struggling w mental health and addiction. You were the real deal.

Melissa

ZECHARIAH "ZECH" SCHOLES MARCH 22, 1977 - AUGUST 22, 2018 Zechariah "Zech" Abraham Scholes was an absolute force to reckoned with. He instantly filled any room he entered with his charisma, booming voice, and memorable presence. Zech was the kind of man that you instantly wanted to know and be friends with. He was intelligent, creative, fierce, energetic, and had a sense of humor that was as contagious and his laughter. Zech was incredibly passionate about many things, but at the top of that list were his children, Victoria & Angus who, in his own words, were his greatest achievement of his life. He loved his family, which to him included the friends he treated as such, classic rock and hair metal music, PBS documentaries and always winning an argument Zech loved his time at A-House and often referred to it as the happiest time in his life. He was passionate about his recovery and supporting those who shared the same struggle with addiction. After his Closure he was accepted to the Mather Program and was a staple member of that community. His dedication to the program, newfound optimistic outlook on life, and amazing work ethic aided his success and within months he had reconnected with his children and family, started a relationship, landed a full-time job at Clayton Homes, purchased his first car, and built beautiful friendships. He was the man he always wanted to become. Zech tragically lost his battle to heroin addiction and died of an overdose on his first and only relapse after 11 months of sobriety. His death left those who were fortunate enough to have known him with a void that can only be filled with memories of his laughter, epic one-liners, and the passion behind his eyes. He was 41 years old. Posted 06/07/2019

CASSI HARMS

Lindsey 💜 My sweet Baby Sister, loosing you has been one of the most painful things I have had to go through. I am so sorry this happen to you. My heart aches every day even more when I see the things you can't longer see, smell the things you no longer smell, hear the things you no longer hear, touch the things you no longer touch, Breathe the air you no longer can. God knows I would switch spots with you. I love you from the first moment you came home with mom and will love you until my last breath. 09/28/2002- 03/15/2022 💜🕊️ I forever love you Pinchy!!

Delsa

Sylvia Robles RIP, Heroin Overdose, Rest easy Sister

Veronica

I went to work as usual when I had a cousin race to my place of work and said somethings wrong with my uncle... I raced down to his house to see what was going on. I rushed through the door and I had found him overdosed on his Livingroom floor my heart felt like it shattered. I had nightmares of that day replaying over and over. He had struggled with addiction most of his life and being in and out of jail but myself and parents were his main support system through it all. The rest of my family seen him as another thing that they had to take care of or deal with but I would say that is an automatic to help when someone is struggling with addiction by themselves. So this tribute is to my uncle who was like a brother to me. I love you and will miss you everyday, there is never a day that I don't think of you. love, your niece

Abby

I lost my 21 year old son in 2009. He died of a heroin/Xanax overdose. We were pretty clueless about addiction especially our sons. I see all of the red flags now but didn’t then. I have found a group that are so smart. We help get people into treatment, we encourage harm reduction, have sober living houses and offer many wonderful meetings every week. We didn’t have this when Kevin was alive and using. I lost my only child to this horrible disease of addiction. I thank God now , that I am able to help people that need my help. How I wish my son was still here, but that wasn’t his journey. I believe my sons life is worth sharing and helping to get other people clean and healthy. I still cry .... just not as often..... miss my Kevin! Posted 04/06/2019

Kathi Arbini

Caesar 01/01/18. Heroin took Caesar from his daughter who was born 10 days before he died. She will only know him as daddy from pictures. He tried so hard to get clean from his addiction, but the monster got to him. We miss you,

Posted 28/08/2018

Sheila

On 7/9/2013 I had several missed calls from my step brother. I returned his call and he said he heard from a friend of a friend that our brother Denver and his girlfriend Dawn were dead. I said 'no', someone would have called me. Denver was living at my nephews at the time. So I knew he would have called. So I text him and no response. I called my mom and she was on her way to there house with her neighbor. My step brother had called her as well. I said ok just call me when you get there. I never thought twice about it. I just knew it was a mistake. 2 minutes later my poor 76 year old mother calls me and said 'sissy you better get over here'. I just dropped and said 'momma, no'. She hung up the phone. She couldn't stand hearing my cries. My husband drove us there as fast as he could. I still just want sure about it all till we turned the corner and seen the cops and news channel there. It was the most tragic thing I've ever experienced. We lost my 37 year old brother to a heroin/meth overdose along with his 35 year old girlfriend. The whole family has suffered greatly since then. He was the baby out of my mom's 7 kids. We were so close. I still feel the urge to call him. He left behind a son that was 14 at the time. It's still hard for me to even see him. I pray for everyone who has been through this. It affects the whole family.

Darlene

Erik my only child was an old soul and he was kind, had a beautiful spirit, was smart, handsome, talented and very creative. He could talk to anyone, he was engaging and could be very charming. Kids loved him and he was always kind to those less fortunate than he was. He loved animals and considered himself a “Crazy Cat Person” but really had dogs all his life!?! He was a very creative writer and turned many of his writings into versions of rap songs. Baseball was his thing and he could give you every stat from the early beginnings of baseball to current players. But he really was an avid sports fan in general. Boy was he a Tom Brady fan but we won't hold that against him, hahaha. He played Little League Baseball, Pop Warner Football, All Stars and Travel Ball until High School and then he played Freshman and Junior Baseball and Football. He did MMA and bodybuilding for a bit of time too. Not only did he participate in sports but he went to hundreds of MLB games, countless NFL games, Strikeforce, Bellator, Glory, UFC, WCK events. Supercross, Monster Truck and Nitro Circus events. San Diego Comic Con, college Bowl games! He traveled to Canada, New York, Florida, Colorado, Philadelphia, Hawaii, Arizona, Las Vegas. He has also held down a job since he was 16 at a few different spots and we were very proud of his work ethic. Went in on his days off and worked anytime time they needed him. He had a great life, great friends, nice girlfriends and family that loved him no matter what! Sadly the start of his demise was an injury in H.S. and he was prescribed Oxycodone. It took a few years before it was visibly noticeable that there was an issue but now being 19 we could not force him into rehab or get him to admit he had a problem. At that point he started to slowly progress to heroin and cocaine and finally adding fentanyl into the mix. Things were looking up and we got him to go into rehab but at day 86 on June 5th 2020 he left and 1 week later on June 12th 2020 he died from an overdose. WHAT I MISS MOST ABOUT MY SON IS EVERYTHING!!!

Karrie

To my handsome son Derrick Smith who passed away March 19, 2016 from an overdose of heroin/fentalyn. I miss and love you so much.

Donna

This is a tribute to Bryan my exboyfriend who had three kids and died last year from drug overdose. He told me that marijuana was the gateway drug to all the other drugs he did later. I want to warn everyone of fentanyl. It’s being added on purpose to drugs by Mexican drug lords on purpose to murder and purge the American population . George Soros is involved. This is not an accident. Please don’t support marijuana being legalized as it leads to other drugs. Fight drugs and drug abuse and save people’s lives and this great country. Thank you Jacksonville,Florida

Carla

My son Ray was full of life. He loved all of the Philadelphia sports teams and music. He was able to actually meet a few of the players while working ay Citizens Bank Park and the Linc during his recovery. He was a DJ for many years, he was able to be out in the well-known clubs and thrived! His substance use disorder started when his biological father took his life in 2010. We had just reunited with him and he has relocated from Al. This was Ray’s fairy tale, though it didn’t end well. His father had mental issues that were undiagnosed. My son used to tell me the drugs numbed the pain. Through time, he got in with the wrong crowd and gf. His usage skyrocketed. He was in rehab 5 times, crisis center, halfway house and his last year in a recovery house. He was almost 1 year clean. It was a blessing, I got to see my son again. His eyes weren’t hollow, they were sparkling and a beautiful green, he looked healthy and plugged into a 12-step program, had a sponsor, went to a rehab he had been in to talk to people about his experience. On 7/21/19, I received the call no parent ever wants to get. I had been with him the prior day for 8 hours. I’ll never know what triggered him though with this vicious disease it doesn’t take much. Also, all recovery houses aren’t reputable as I regretfully found out and definitely not the right environment for people to actually recover. I pray changes happen soon for the whole recovery/rehab situation. It’s definitely not set up well for people to get the appropriate help they really need. I miss my son every day, he should still be here. 💜Ray💜 Forever 38.

Dawn

Idk

Samuile

Gina was beautiful, inside and out. She was taken from us too soon. She left behind a beautiful baby boy Vinny. She struggled with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse throughout her life. She will forever be in our hearts.

Toni

My Son, I miss you everyday, I wished you could have stayed longer. Love you so much! Mom

Michelle

My husband had been an addict for years... Countless rehabs and he was a frequent guest at the state jails. He overdosed on heroin September 6,2014. I urge everyone to educate themselves on addiction. I thought i knew enough. I was wrong. My heart was ripped out. He is missed every day. To the addicts that don't think they have hit rock bottom...you have. Get help! You don't have any Idea what the family goes through when you're gone.

M.Vitti

My beautiful 21 year old daughter is currently in the hospital on a ventilator totally unresponsive and the outcome doesn't look good. she was recovering from addiction and had just gotten a job where most of the employees were using drugs. so she ended up doing coke that was laced with meth after being up for two days was worried about what her roommate would think so she proceeded to take a Xanax well it was laced with fentanyl so she overdosed and went into cardiac arrest. she's so young. you're not supposed to outlive your children. I can't believe it's happening I am so frustrated I wish I could trade places with her she will be missed and loved forever by many. her name is Korena Phillips she is my daughter.

Isabel

Will Brennan, you will always be my bestfriend, pledge brother, and brother for life. Our pledge class still always talks about you every day remembering all of the great memories you blessed us with. I love you brother, rest easy. We will all see eachother again.

Posted 08/11/2018

Colin Ellington

Although it's been 3 years (6/21/14), since our son, Brian died at age 27, we think about him every day. Like so many others, he was taken from us too soon. Love and Miss you Brian. Mom, Dad, Liz & Kathryn Charlton, MA USA

Deb Dowd-Foley

We lost my baby brother Sean at the age of 36 on August 6, 2020. He was such an incredible man who managed to remain sober for 11 years. It took one week of mistakes for it to just take him away. He now flies free with the angels not having to deal with the demons that come with addiction. You are so loved and so missed Sean. Our lives will never be the same without you. Deborah

Deborah

Hey there!!! I just wanted to say that you are doing a fantastic job!! Please keep up the good work and know that people are counting on you !!!

Jean-Claude

Saying prayers for those we've lost and those who continue to fight addiction. Rest with the Angels our son and brother: Adam Richard Bear 8/23/91 - 4/27/17 Akron OH USA

Michelle Benson

For my Brother Kenny Colosimo and for my Best Friend & Partner Stephen Jackson I miss you both more than words can say. I talk to you often, I wish you could talk back but I know you hear me and you're looking after me, I've been sober over a year now, wish I would have done it while you were here with me... I love you both...always!

Dana

Nick, lost 10.26.19. I miss you every day. You were a gentle soul always helping other people and animals. I couldn't wait to see the amazing things you would do with your life.

elizabeth

We think of you everyday, mom. I love you, always ❤️

Mariah

International Overdose Awareness Day: 31^stAugust

International Overdose Awareness Day

Time to Remember. Time to Act.

Get involved

Get resources

Remember a lost loved one

Donate

See the 2023 Event Map!

Tributes to lost loved ones

Posted 26/12/2018

Posted 28/08/2018

Posted 08/11/2018

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

International Overdose Awareness Day: 31st August

International Overdose Awareness Day

Time to Remember. Time to Act.

Get involved

Get resources

Remember a lost loved one

Donate

See the 2023 Event Map!

Tributes to lost loved ones

Posted 26/12/2018

Posted 28/08/2018

Posted 08/11/2018

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

International Overdose Awareness Day: 31^stAugust