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International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) – held on 31 August every year – is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.
Our 2025 theme and campaign kit are launching soon – watch this space!
#IOAD2025 #TogetherWeCan #EndOverdose
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 our global movement 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
Tributes from the community
My son, Zachary Elijah
5 yrs ago I (we) lost you to addiction but in my heart it still feels like yesterday. I will always be proud of the man you became, I will always miss you my son & I will always love you more…to the moon & stars & back again. You will forever be 28 & I will forever be broken…. until we meet again. Love momma bear
... Diane
Joshua Mathew Stuck Sr.
Hey Dad, its been a while. I still miss you. I will never know why you had to do what you did, you were doing so well, you were almost clean again. I still wonder if I could have done anything to help, I mean, I know I couldn’t I was only five. It still hurts. Love you dad, see you sooner than later.
... Joshua
Alex
Alex. I wish you were here. I wish you could meet our daughter. I wish you didn’t have to leave us. I know that everything happens for a reason and I know our paths collided because they were meant to. Because in such a short period of time you taught me what love was. The kind of love that was pure and passionate and unlike anything I had ever known before you. Thank you for coming into my life and loving me. Thank you for giving me our beautiful daughter. I will always tell her about you, and I will make sure she grows up knowing she had a father who loved her, even though you were gone before she was born. You will live on through us. I love you.
... Chelsea
Gabriel David "Cheapes" Quintana
Hey Baby Brother , I love you and miss you so much everyday I wake up and see you as a constant reminder that I’m still here and you’re not , it bothers me so much I’m not with you. You were my best friend, you are still my best friend I just wish I could hug you brother and tell you how much u meant to me, how much I loved you and had your back. I’m going through it right now you know life and I need you to be here with me and get me through this time and to the place I know I need to be. Watch over us please, Mom, Dad, Nana, Love , AJ , Romo , Lala , Sonny , Guero & Me we all miss you so much and I hope you know you’ll never be forgotten♥️
... Fernando
Cindy Zimmerman
A beautiful mother, wife, and everything else.
Part of her soul still shines within me.
... Maggie
Landyn Fletcher Schaffer
Unbearably tragic & gone too soon. We had too many future plans, memories, music and our own futures together. Until we meet again and connect our souls as one again. Reunite us as the family we’ve built me you & midi. I love you unconditionally Landyn, you’ll always be the abstract art in our modern museum. Love always your Cassie in the city.
