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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 #OneBigFamily

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

Hold 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.

Get resources

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

Post a tribute

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

Get 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

My son Christopher Connors

My boy Christopher’s journey came to an end on 11/11/22 at the age of 29 💜

... Amy

Robin Buffalo

Robin Buffalo is my dad. He passed on November 20th 2024 in an attic where he had been left all by himself in an active overdose. He relapsed after being sober for quite a while, he came back home after being in jail and fought to be the great dad he once before he had got into drugs. All my life, i seen my dad struggle with yet fight his addictions. Some days he won, some days he lost but never ever, did he stop being a good dad. Despite his hardships he learn to live life on his own, despite the war he faced every single day while living with BPD he woke up and tried to make a good day for his children. He loved his family, he was proud. He didn’t know any better the leading up to the day of his death, he though he was just going to go back to his city life until he hung with the wrong crowd, people that were jealous of the life he had. People that wanted to hurt him, people that were so evil that they left him to die all alone in an attic. Their selfishness left me and my 7 siblings heartbroken, left his wife of 20 years in pain. His family that wanted to make things better. His friends that wished for another moment with him. Left everyone who loved him with an empty heart. I wish someone had just stayed with him, helped him, do something. Because if they did, we wouldn’t have a chance with him again. We would’ve gotten our father back, my mom would get the love of her life back.

... Shanaya

Jerica Marie Leigh

Seven days Jerica, a Friday so bright then Iron gates opened wide a glimpse of light. A fragile hope, a whisper in the summer breeze a chance for new beginnings amidst the trees.
I saw you smile and I heald you near hoping the darkness would disappear. I wished for sunshine and a peaceful shore fir you to be free and struggle nomore.
But the chains of addiction they held on tight. a battle waged through the day and the rest of the night. The pull was stronger the whispers was loud … lost in the shadows.. lost in the crowd.
Next Friday came a different type of dawn, the hope extinguished, Jerica was gone. An overdose claimed you in a cruel embrace, leaving a void in time and in space.
The weight of freedom was a heavy cost
Friday’s promise, Friday’s end
A cruel twist of fate a loss to mend..
May her memory be a beacon bright to guide others from the darkest night…
I love you Jerica and I miss you more than I can even explain.. My first daughter, my first best friend, mommy will see you again.. 08/02/2024
#7DAYZHOME

... Jeannette

To many to name individually

I work at a Syringe Service Provider, and I just wanted to acknowledge all the people who have been lost to overdose, endocarditis, sepsis, and all substance-related issues. You are missed, you were and are loved and remembered. I am waiting for the day when there are no more purple hearts to be added to our remembrance tree. Your life mattered! It mattered to your family, friends, and to the people whose lives you have touched. You had an illness and not a moral failing. You were loved!!

... Claudia Mattheiss

Alan Robert

Alan was a handsome boy who loved to make people laugh. He taught himself how to play guitar and was so good he played with experienced musicians at the age of 15! He was a Mommas boy who was raised by his Mom and Sisters. He also loved his dog Max so much. After a long struggle with addiction, Alan lost his battle at 24 years old. I miss him every minute of every day. I know your struggle is over and you are free to be you Son 💜 I love you so much!

... Robin

Aiden James

In August it will be one year since I lost my oldest son, just 22 at the time. I miss him so much, I didn’t know that you could miss somebody this immensely. He’s a huge loss and I still don’t know how to get my brain to even accept that I can’t talk to him or hug him or tell him I love him or hear him call me Mom ever again. But that’s my reality. Grief and pain and despair is consuming and it knocks the wind out of you and steals the floor from beneath your feet and you find yourself on your knees, sobbing, and begging for the one thing that you don’t ever get back. But I will say one thing, nobody ever gets to take away the honor I feel of being his mom. And I would go through this awful pain an infinite amount of lifetimes in a row just to end up here again and again and again because he’s worth this pain. He’s worth this awful heartache I find myself in and he always will be. I love you, I miss you. But I am grateful I had you

... Jodie Nicole

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

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