International Overdose Awareness Day

The world’s annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind

Time to Remember. Time to Act.

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Tributes to lost loved ones

My dear, beautiful son David passed away 7 weeks and 3 days ago. David was 35 years old and stuggled with heroine for 7 and a half years. David was sober many times and was doing great. He overdosed from heroine in our home, I found him, I love him with all my heart and cannot believe that I will not see or hear his voice again. He has a loving family, Mom, Dad, Twin Brother and 2 Sisters. He has 2 nephews and 2 neices. We are all devasted by this loss. We started going to Grasp meetings 4 weeks after his death, David was a kind, loving person and will be missed forever. I love you David, Love Mom

Judy

My darling David You were the light of my life in an uncertain time. You showed me that the world could be truly beautiful if you just took the time to look. I hope you are still making beautiful discoveries. I miss you every day.

Remembering my precious son, who we lost in 2013 from overdose. In our hearts and missed today, and every single day. Love and miss him so much. I hope you feel our Love ❤💛💙 Gary 08/25/1970 - 04/08/2013

Debbie

my niece 32, 3/17/ 20 died from cocaine and large dose of fentynal. mortified. our family needs answers.

jeanette

I lost my son to a heroine overdose on 2/4/15.

Annette

In loving memory of my fiancé, Joshua, who lost his battle to addiction on May 3, 2016. I will forever miss your beautiful soul. Not a day goes by where I do not think of you. You were such a loving, kind spirited person with a great sense of humor. I will carry you in my heart until we meet again. Love you always Joshua Lee.

Tonya

Matt-we miss you every single day and will never fully recover losing you so suddenly and way too soon. You had so much life left to live and so much left to offer. Your daughter has not been able to come to terms with losing you and is such a sad little girl who misses her daddy. I'm so sorry I didn't help you more and made your life harder in some ways. You were my best friend. We love you Matty.

Posted 27/02/2019

Kara

This is my beautiful daughter Brianna Ritz . I can’t even believe and I’m writing this. It’s been seven months since she left us but I still can’t believe it’s real. I wished that one day I would wake up and realize that it was just a bad dream and I’d see her again , but it never happened . January 3rd will forever be remembered as the day I lost my heart . Brianna, I’ll always be with you , some things even time can’t come between and when you remember me.. I hope you see it’s not the way I want it to be or I’d be with you now .. but wherever you go .. my love goes with you 💕.

Anthony

James Idzikowski 07/02/1976 - 12/08/2016. We will always love you and miss you Posted 20/06/2019

Elaine

Kyle, You were my best friend and always will be. We shared the same everything. Being a twin with you was everything. 1 year ago you gained your wings, how I miss you. 8/26/22 ‘til the battle is won

Kori

My heart is forever broken. My precious beautiful boy I love and miss you so much. Save me a seat up there in heaven. I will see you again. Love Your Mama

Leah

To: My wonderful son Andrew. You are so loved and missed every day. Heaven is now a beautiful place with my precious son Andrew there. I feel you with me every second of each day. Until our hearts meet again! XOXO

Mom

Hello I am a recovering heroin addict. I have lost so many friends and loved ones I couldn't even name them all. The most painful was my best friend Brandi. When I went into treatment in 2001 she worked at the treatment facility. We became friends in the rooms and stayed best friends for 6years she had 8.5yrs clean and relapsed. I never thought it would happen to her. I always thought she would get back here to recovery but she didn't make it. She left 3 children a husband and family. My heart aches for her children and family. She has been gone for 5 years and I miss her very much. I just lost 2 friends in 2 days. I don't know what can be done or even where to start. I know I have overdosed many times in the past but it's a different time now. I am so grateful everyday for life and recovery. I never want my daughter and mother to have the pain their families have to deal with. This is a disease and it is a daily struggle and sometimes a minute to minute struggle to stay clean. Please keep up the hard work in spreading awareness. Thank you.

Amy

In loving memory of Scott, Anthony, Matt, Garret, and My love Sam. You are dearly missed.

Jasmine

My little brother. He was a happy, funny, caring person. He loved his family, he loved to hunt and he loved his job. He made plenty of mistakes throughout his life but he always redeemed himself and we always supported him. After a lifetime of addiction to narcotics, he entered an 18 month program to beat his addiction. Everyone there was so proud of him that he even talked about counseling other addicts. Clean and sober since 2011, but suffering from chronic insomnia, he took a narcotic intravenously, the dose was too much. He just wanted to get some sleep and he never woke up. He was loved and he will be missed eternally.

Dawn

My beautiful daughter who should be here. Taken way too early on November 14, 2020. We all miss you more than words can describe. My little Bushy, love you always and forever ♡ xoxo

Jane

On August 7th 2009 I lost my sister to an accidental overdose. This year will mark ten years since she left us. It is still hard. And somehow it doesn’t end. She knew the dangers of course and sought in her life to be a light to those in the darkness of heroin addiction. They didn’t call it an opioid epidemic back then. But we had friends we were losing to heroin one in 2002 another in 2003. Kelly tried to give these people safe spaces Spaces without judgement she had been aware of the heroin issue. She had not I am afraid been aware of the prescription drug issue. Following a car accident in 2007 Kelly had reconstructive surgery on her leg and was given first Vicodin for pain management then perc 5 then Finally perc 10. Kelly would not take the entire prescription but sold some of it to make extra money on her birthday August 6th she refilled her prescription and a deadly combination of drinking and prescription drugs took her life in the early morning hours following her birthday. Kelly’s biological father died from a heroin overdose and again friends close to us died from heroin overdoses. We and she were well aware of the dangers of heroin. But not her prescription drugs. We did not understand the level she was at with taking them. We didn’t act fast enough. We had indications maybe a month or two before that there was an issue but it seemed like having seen her just before this happened that she had it under control and was sorting out the issues waiting for a prescription for a pain patch instead of relying on medication. This resource, the pain patch was approved the day Kelly died. Not much was spoken about the opioid epidemic as it is now called when Kelly died. I’m glad they speak about it now. Since Kelly I have lost a friend at work this year to what I believe may have been very similar circumstances though the family would not say. And a childhood friend had to bury her daughter this past weekend because of a heroin overdose. It all too much really. Too many taken from us for nothing at all. If we can stop one person from ingesting this poison that would be everything. Posted 02/07/2019

Bridgette Bachand

Tristan was my sister who we lost at only 18 years old. Tristan was born June 9 1998. Tristan left us on August 4th 2016. Tristan led the kind of life where she didn't let opportunity pass her by. Tristan was intelligent and attended the local early college. Tristan loved music, writing and horses. Tristan also played softball and danced on a Christian dance team. Before addiction Tristan was so full of life. Even during her worst day, Tristan was kind and would do anything to anyone. Tristans celebration of life filled the church and people had to leave because there was no parking. Our family has created Tristans Haven in her memory to keep helping others as she did while she was here. I love you sissy. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. There are so many things we still needed to do together. I miss you. Thomasville NC

Tristans Lee Thompson

My nephew Joseph passed away on 7/5/16 from a heroin overdose in Chicago, IL. He was 27, we miss him and mourn him.

Alison

This tribute is to my oldest son Charles, 11-4-1974 - 3-3-2019, Another senseless death, A life taken too soon, A soul that is dearly loved. The void in OUR hearts will never be filled, a part of us left with you and your brother and we will never be whole again. We will love you and forever miss you and our lives will never be whole again until we are united with you both again......#notonemore#

Charles David

You will never be forgotten Amy and Julie...both of my sisters are together now, and at peace. Miss you! ❤️ Posted 31/08/2019

Jodi

Edward passed away 8/9/2016, When you were born that was the happiest Day if my life. Watching you grow was so precious. You brought me so much joy words can't express it. I watched you grow from and infant to a handsome young man. You were such a loving and caring young man. You always made me laugh and always had live in your heart. For others. Your death has brought me much sadness to me and your family. U wish you has told me me you had a heroin addiction. You were depressed and just rrues to solve the problem. Yourself. Your accidental death of overdose to heroin breaks my heart. I will always live u my son you brought we great joy. I pray u are at peace now and look forward to the Day when we will meet again and I can hold u so tight and never let u go. Rest now my sin be free and sing with the angels.

Patricia

I just lost my soulmate today. Pretty sure and accidental OD. He was clean for 2yrs and we had had finally decided he would be moving in with me today. I just lost my 20yr old son in April. His Stepdad shot him in the head in front of me for no reason. And Danny had became my Strength and I was learning to live and love again,which I thought I'd never do. But now I have nothing and just gonna set here and wait my turn 😢

Rebecca

In loving memory of Trevor Yarrington, 11/16/2013. You will forever be loved by so so many. Gone but NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!!

Angie

Jameson has lost both his father Matt at 6 and his mom at 8 and is the kindest sweetest wholesome boy that god has allowed his grandparents to heal through his love.

Dean

In loving memory of Brendan McDonald 9/6/1985-8/10/2013.

Nancy

In memory of my best friend Adam Hill. My life changed forever the day you overdosed. I went on a crash course myself. But I made it out, and because of you I live every day trying to help others make it out. I see your face in every lost and hurting soul I see. I will always remember you, and how much the world lost the night you finally took too much. But I will never let it be in vain, because I will always fight to help others in honor of you! I love you friend.

Sophia

December 28th, 2014 was the day that changed my life... My father overdosing & one of those drugs being Fentanyl. Addiction is a terrible thing to go through but in the end you either learn a lot from it or lose to it. I wasn't told by anyone for 4 months that he had passed. Dad, I have a great amount of guilt on my shoulders because I feel as if I couldve helped you if you had just told me what was going on. I was always his best friend. The best pair on earth. No bond is like a father/daughter bond. The most intelligent, gold hearted, humorous man there was. He would've given you the shirt off his back. My love for you is tremendous.. And if I could, I would build a staircase to Heaven & bring you back with me. 💘 My guardian angel Ray 💘 (P.S... I miss you more than you'll ever be able to understand) With Love, Your Princess 👑 USA

Alex

To Lori, an amazing women who gave so much love and left us too soon. Thank you for being the best other mom I could have. I never got a chance to tell you how much you impacted my life - from what I eat to how I speak. I still can't believe that you're not here, but I think of you all the time. You are missed so very much and I love you beyond words. I hope that you are now at peace. Love, Jazzy (your other daughter)

Jazzy

My beautiful boy Buddy , oh how we miss you here so much . You left us so empty the tears never stop. We will never understand why or how your illness took you down so quickly right after returning from treatment. We will remember the wonderful memories. Your infectious smile laughter , jokes and your love for everyone around you . You were such a beautiful person and friend . You heart was to big for this world such a teddy bear . When God called you home your sufferings were no longer. I thank God for the 25 years we had with you . We love you Buddy and miss you . A candle remains lit here for you .The light you were in our lives , Until we are together again. Mom , Dad and family .

Debbie

In memory of Matthew Evan Goldstein, the best older brother, son and friend anyone could have asked for. Forever missed but never forgotten. I will never stop fighting for those affected by the disease of addiction in your honor. The world is not as bright without your sweet smile, the impact you made on those around you will forever live on. Life will never be the same without you, our forever Valentine. Posted 25/08/2018

Jourdan Goldstein

To my beautiful Sonshine, Isaiah Gabriel Taylor. How I miss you everyday. To know you was to love you. Your heart was so big and many times you literally gave the shirt off your back and suffered in the cold so they were warm. Idkh I'm not male it without you, Isaiah. But for your sibings sake, I'll do my best. I love and miss you "bug". RIP. Forever 29. Save a place for me at the table baby!

Trish

Rest In Peace to my children Father. Rico you will be missed and loved. I’m sorry we weren’t on the best terms.

Kendra

My Amazing Nephew Charles Cory Clampitt Lost his life to a Cocaine and Fentanyl overdose on November 6, 2019. He was a Son, a Grandson, a Nephew, and a Father. He left behind 2 beautiful children ages 10 and 6. He loved them both so much! He had been a certified Drug and alcohol Councillor. And helped many people find sobriety. He was clean and sober for Many Many years.. Until life threw some big curveballs at him. He slipped… and it was all over. Cory had a spirit so much bigger than earth!! And we all feel that God needed him more in Heaven to help out. Losing him has broken our family in a way, I cannot explain. We will never the the same.. We will never be Ok, And his kids will never have their Daddy.. We love and miss him every second of every day. RIP Charles Cory Clampitt 10-6-2019

Suzie

My big boy my name sake my Jr my best friend. Since you left us that Christmas morning mom and I haven't been the same. Raymo I see no change coming anytime soon. May you always Rest In The Arms Of The Lord. I love you So much Raymo. Your pops forever. Holbrook Posted 24/08/2019

Ray Alvarez Sr.

I miss my daughter and just to know that whoever sold her the dope is probably living his/Her life but my daughter was murdered and lost her life at the age of30 leaving behind 5 children .

Nashville,Tn. USA

Lisa

My dear darling granddaughter, I will never stop loving you. I feel like I should have done more, but you were committed to this path. I sat with you in the hospital trying to help you find the will to live. I wanted you to grow old, to have children, to live a long life. You were in denial honey, I even had an intervention in the hospital for you, but you checked yourself out, did heroin and died alone in an alley that night. My heart is so torn apart... I wish you could have come to live with me, but my partner wouldn't allow a heroin addict in our home. I am so so terribly sorry I couldn't save you, I feel responsible, you were a sweet innocent darling girl... I had a dream you were cold and I am having a hard time dealing with your death. I hope you find peace sweetheart, until we meet again, you are my angel... Love, love you, my darling sweetheart - Nana

Posted 09/08/2018

Nana

I lost my 22 year old daughter to overdose this past August 23 2014. It rips your heart out. She was clean and had to have emergency gallbladder surgery. She told the surgeon not to give her narcotics, but he turned to me and said " you will have to deal with that later". Well, we dealt with it, within 2 weeks she was gone. She went back into withdrawal. Please be aware if you have surgeries, they do have non narcotic pain killers.

Dolly Nolte

My family suffered a great loss on June 10, 2016. My 22 year old niece lost her battle with heroin. Shelby, as so many others, was a beautiful, smart, passionate young lady,who lost her daughter and sank into a deep depression. Shelby will forever be able to hold her precious Lexi. They will forever be loved and missed I love you Lu 8 My family will be honoring Shelby with an International Overdose Awareness event in Mount Holly, NJ 8.31.17 Mount Holly, New Jersey USA

Christine Hoff

This story was always Cassie’s to tell but she is no longer here to do that so I will try my best to do it for her. My baby girl was born with the most beautiful eyes that lit up the room. She was always a happy child but very independent and loved to make friends and be with her family. She was very athletic and had a very artistic side to her. Whatever she set her mind to do she would do it with all her heart and soul. She had many gifts and talents and loved to give. When she was 14 she was given alcohol with a drug in it by 2 older boys in her high school at an off campus cheer event. She wanted to fit in and be accepted. It was a mistake many young people make but her biggest mistake was trusting these boys. She was raped and that changed that happy little girl into a depressed and confused young teen. Changing schools, getting counseling and anti depressants she seemed to do much better. She found the Lord and made some good friends. She grew up in a loving home that had stability and kindness. She was married young and brought 4 beautiful babies into this world. When her husband pulled a gun on her one day that was the 2nd traumatic event in her life that brought out bipolar episodes in her like never before. We started to see it after the rape but then it became more serious. The drinking started and the risky choices she was making caused her to be away from her children. She tried and tried to find help over the years but the alcohol was too much for her. The addiction had taken control of too much of her life. She loved her kids so much and tried so hard to be the mom they needed and wanted but Cassie couldn’t be in one place for very long. She would run from the control, run from her mind and try to find some peace outdoors. She would always come back and try her hardest to settle down, work hard at whatever she set her mind to and focus on her children and family. Cassie loved to help others and had so many talents. She only wanted to have love, peace, and joy in her life. The holidays and Christmas were her favorite. The last time she ran was over a year ago and this time she didn’t come back. She missed Christmas and we knew something was wrong. We couldn’t find her but kept thinking she will be back. One day my girl will come back. She thought we were all better off without her in our lives because of her addiction. She was tired, she wanted help but didn’t know how to get it. So many people loved her and tried to help her but she couldn’t receive the love or the help the way she needed to. Fentanyl stole her life and stole my baby girl. There was nothing I could do to help her, there was nothing anyone could do to help her. So the Lord took her home. Home to a place where she is waiting for us, home to a place she is free of pain, her mind is free, her heart only feels love. She is in paradise and her scars are gone. She is completely healed. We miss her so much and the pain is sometimes unbearable. There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t wake up or go to sleep thinking of her. Tears are never ending it seems but one day I will see my baby girl again and nothing will take her away from me again. We love and miss you Cassie. To infinity and beyond.

Caroline

On May 27, 2012, I lost my son, Ralph to an accidental heroin overdose. He was 24 years old. A part of me also died that day. I wonder if I could've done more to help him, it's been 3 long years without him, I miss him every day, I love him so much. He was so full of life. Everyone loved him. The life of the party, when he walked into the room it lit up. I miss his electric energy. He was a loving son, he had a great future ahead of him, but this was a slip up that he could not come back from. The lose of my son is a very deep pain that I will always have with me until I meet him again in the afterlife.

Marisel

A co- worker, a class mate, an inspiring person. To think of the story I never got to hear. You were strong and clean for years and reached your long term goal, then somewhere down the track you lost your way with no help from the media you then left the world behind. I hope you are at peace now but know you are thought off daily. To those you touched and to the clients you helped RIP Dan the Man. XOOXO CR

Carla

Erin e I miss you all-day everyday rip my daughter 04-27-91-09-30-2017 I Love you

Posted 28/07/2018

Janine

To Chris Crompton, a beautiful young man who we knew all of his life. Son of our best friends Allan and Nina Crompton. He was a shining light who somehow became trapped by an insidious darkness which took him from us. Chris will be loved and remembered always. John and Vicki Sampson.

John and Vicki Sampson

Ashli I miss you so much babygirl you are always in my heart and thoughts 4/1/94-8/1/17 Love always and forever Mommy Posted 26/08/2019

Bobbie

Today I watched my mother and grandparents cry out in pain as my brother lay in a casket at his viewing. Michael was only 23 years old when heroin capsules with fentanyl ended his life. All it took was one time to end all his potential; his hopes and dreams. My mother, an RN for almost 30 years, was at home when she heard him fall in the family room. 911 was called and during this time she did CPR while spitting out her own sons vomit, fighting desperately for his life. Narcan was administered 12 times but it could not save his life. His 4 year old nephew adored him. When I would drop my son off for babysitting, on the way home he would tell me about how he and "uncle bike" played baseball out in the yard, went sword fighting or pretended to be pirates hunting for buried treasure. All I ever wanted for you was to find happiness. To find your place in the world and put your habits behind you in the past. But I have lost you to addiction and now I am left behind to pick up the pieces. You were so loved and I wish we could have saved you.

Julia

To all the people that have lost the battle to a fiendish opponent, may you find comfort that you have not been alone , this attacker is not a respecter of persons, it will attack anyone, anywhere, anytime . My heart continually breaks for beautiful amazing and GOOD people who have been taken far to soon. You were not weak, but unaware of the ferocity of the enemy . Rest peacefully and feel no more pain, my lovely ones .........x

Krispen

My brother Dayne died at the age of 23. Five days after he was released from the hospital and told to "figure it out" by the so called professionals who were supposed to help him. He had orginally been admitted because of a suicide attempt due to his addiction. He never received the help he desperately wanted and and should have gotten. We, his family, loved him more then he could ever know. We truly hope he's found the peace and happiness he was looking for. Until we meet again.. 1990 - 2013.

Posted 26/06/18

Aralee J

I want to honour my son Caine Albrecht who was 24 when he passed away on June 20, 2018 of an overdose. Caine was the light of my life and when he passed I felt my heart shatter. I have been picking up the pieces ever since and decided to live and honor him by starting a foundation to connect the person to the resource. caine.cainegelconnection.org. Caine is now an angel and is guiding me to help others find help.

Jenell

My fiance Nathan Regan passed away August 4th 2013 of a heroin overdose. Nathan had just celebrated a year clean 3 weeks before. I spent 12 years with Nathan and I'm grateful for every second of them, the good and the bad. We both struggled with addiction and spent years in and out of treatment struggling to get clean. The summer of 2012 we finally got our lives together & found out I was pregnant that fall. I went into labor May 14th 2 weeks early. Our son Logan had no heartbeat. Our hearts were ripped apart. Nate wanted nothing more than to be a dad. 3 months later my mom was diagnosed with leukemia, Nate relapsed 2 days later & passed away less than a week after. I never met a soul that didn't like him. He lit up a room, always made you laugh and was an incredible artist. I'm honored that I could call him mine. He was not just another number or statistic. Not only did I lose my best friend & soul mate but dozens upon dozens of friends and family. We need to keep shedding light and awareness on this growing epidemic that's become a crisis. I refuse to let them all have died in vain. We honor their memories by talking about the peolpe they were & how addiction does not discriminate. I wouldnt wish the constant pain & void I feel on anyone. We are losing an entire generation to this growing epidemic & it needs to stop!

Meaghan

International Overdose Awareness Day: 31^stAugust

International Overdose Awareness Day

Time to Remember. Time to Act.

Get involved

Campaign resources

Remember a lost loved one

Donate

Tributes to lost loved ones

Posted 27/02/2019

Posted 09/08/2018

Posted 28/07/2018

Posted 26/06/18

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

Campaign resources

Remember a lost loved one

Donate

Tributes to lost loved ones

Posted 27/02/2019

Posted 09/08/2018

Posted 28/07/2018

Posted 26/06/18

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