International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest 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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Hosting your own International Overdose Awareness Day event or activity, or attending one, is a powerful way to stand together to remember people who have lost their lives to overdose.

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Remember a lost loved one

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

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Tributes to lost loved ones

Adam, I have never forgot u and never will. Love to my uncle. Xx

Posted 22/07/2018

Amy

Daddy(Gregory), I miss you more than words can ever explain, My pain is worst than anything in this world. But I keep pushing because I know I have such a strong loving Angel watching over me. The day you left us is a day I will never forget it plays in my head like a broken record... Knowing I'll never see you, Hear your voice or hug you again kills me a little more each day... losing a parent especially at a young age (18) is hard because I know there is so many things you wont be here for, For Jackie and I...Too walk us an give me away when we get married, Too be there when we have our first children, Too meet your grandbabies...Ect But you will be there but in a way I would have never imagined.... I love you daddy I love you so very much I think of you each and everyday day! Gone But NEVER EVER forgotten.💚 In Memory Of Gregory B 3/15/1971•08/06-2018💚 Love Your Daughter's Jennifer An Jackie And Loving Wife Rebekah.

Jennifer

On June 26, 2017 my cousin passed away from a heroin overdose that was laced with fentayl. He leaves behind a daughter who will grow up without her daddy and friends and family who loved him. Braintree, MA USA

Melissa Houle

My 24 year old son, Daniel Thompson, lost his battle with the terrible disease of addiction on December 11,2015. He left behind a beautiful little girl who turned 1 on December 17,2015. This precious baby will never know her Daddy & how he loved her with all his heart!!

Pauline SC. United States

Debra

In memory of Elizabeth (Liz) Loranzo, age 25, who lost her short and loving life to a heroin overdose on March 19, 2017. Liz leaves behind her fiance Kyle and her then 9 month old son Carson. Middletown, PA

Wendy Loranzo

You will never know how much a part of our family you became, how much we cared, how much we loved you. RIP Ricky, there's a hole in our hearts we can't fill.

Adrienne

Today and always I remember my son Cody who was 30 yrs old when he died from an overdose after suffering 15 years with his addiction. I will not let his death be in vain. I have started a nonprofit organization offering support, education, and resources to all those affected by addiction as this is a devastating family disease that affects everyone who loves someone who is suffering from the disease. We are "Families Fighting Addiction",

Posted 01/07/2018

Tracy Burtis

To all the clients I have worked with over the years but lost their battle with addiction Thank you for being my teachers-for entrusting me with things that you wouldn't share with others-for being the amazing people that you were. You are all the reason I still do what I do and will continue to do until my last breath. You will never be forgotten. Lisa xxxx

Lisa

We lost our dear son, Drew, on August 15, 2016 due to an accidental overdose at age 35. No day goes by without thinking how his face lit up as he smiled when he saw us. Drew was a loving young man and very caring of others..he just didn't know how much others cared for him. I can see him playing his guitars every time I hear a song on the radio. I will love my dear Drew always and forever.

Posted 28/08/2018

Janice

Ruaty-James (RJ) Parker 1990-2016 My dearest Bug, I miss you so much my baby boy. Forever in my heart, Mom

Camelia

My son Stephen, 34 years old son died of a fentanyl overdose. He left 3 young sons. He was all about helping people and would be happy to know that his sister, Joy and I now volunteer for NCHRC. He may be gone but his spirit is alive and well.

Posted 02/07/2018

Lynn Thornton

My beautiful daughter Christina Young passed away from a fentanyl overdose on january 21, 2018, she is forever 29. She left behind her 7 month old son whom I cherish and love so much. Christina I love and miss you every moment of every day and I promise you that your baby boy will know how amazing you were and how much you loved him ❤. He is 2 now and he says "Mommy" when he sees your pictures and he kisses them and holds them on his chest over is heart ❤. Posted 26/08/2019

Tracie Young

June 16th this year my partner of almost 12 years and father of our two boys overdosed and passed away. He believed if we could all do one good deed a day for another human even if it's as simple as a smile or holding a door the world be a better place and someday know peace. I love you Daniel Charles Vance. Life is far from the same without you!

Harper Woods

Grace VanSlembrouck

My beautiful boy was taken from me almost 4 years ago. Addiction is a disease! He lost his battle and I know he tried to overcome it . I cant wait to see you again one day. I love you so much Lewis. I miss you more and more everyday. Mom

Lewis

Jacob B., 29 I hope that you’re comfortable in the quiet lasting grace. I love you forever.

Posted 30/06/2018

Carolina R.

I lost my only child, my son, Nathan Ferguson Alvarez to a heroin overdose on 12/13/15. He was a beautiful, loving soul and struggled for 3years. We need to find an end to addiction. Too many wonderful angels leaving us, too soon. We love you Nathan and those who are in recovery, struggling and all loved ones caught up in the cycle.

Kelly

Beautiful girl. I see you every morning when I awake. Brushing my hair, painting my nails, imagining we are engaging in your favorite trivial conversation of "What if......???" I said something that made your Dad smile last night. I didn't tell him that I saw your smile in his eyes. He's too heartbroken. I keep seeing you as a little girl, running around in your whatnots, clapping your hands together and saying, "let's wrestle!" I miss you D, and I'm mad. Mad that you couldn't stop sooner. Mad that you substituted heroin for alcohol. Mad that you were blind to your beauty, inside and out. Mad that we couldn't grow to be old ladies together.....painting each other's crackly aged toenails and laughing to nonsense until dawn. Mad that I couldn't save you.

Leah

My beautiful daughter Alissa Marie Hale overdosed on May 23, 2017, she was 21 years old, I miss her dearly as does my family. Rest in peace baby girl, I love you. Mattituck, by 11952

Michele

On July 4, 2015, I lost an irreplaceable part of my heart, my cousin, Trey Fulford, to a heroin overdose. He had been clean for 4 months and then like a blink of an eye and a needle to the vein, he was gone. Our small little town here on the east coast is being overran with heroin. Trey was such a sweet soul and had a smile that could knock you off your feet. I miss him more than I could ever put into words.

Heather

Tragically overdosed -Fentynol, Mother 72 yrs old LaDonna, Oxy, Brother 39 years old Timmie, Morphine, Brother 63 years old Gordie, Heroin, Nephew 34 years old Timothy. Each and everyone of my family that died from an overdose was at one time prescribed oxy, morphine, fentynal, and other opiates by doctors. Then each one became addicted. I have another nephew on heroin living in abandoned burned out houses in Detroit, i am waiting for that dreaded phone call. It has to stop! So many losses across the world because of this. My heart breaks for each and every tribute that I read. Bless all of you that have had losses. I'm so sorry. I am so lonely for them. I couldn't save any of them and I live everyday with that guilt. RIP my family I love and miss you all so much! Take care of each other.

Connie

My beautiful brother, Connor, left this earth on the early hours of March 22, 2019. He was a father, son, brother, friend and so much more. His life will never be defined by his demons. He was and always will be my best friend, my confidant and the keeper of my childhood. He was an amazing musician and words can't describe how much I miss sitting with him and singing while he played his guitar. The guitar that now hangs on my wall, mostly likely never to be played again. I still talk to him, tell him how much he is missed. How I will continue to carry his memory in my heart and on my sleeve for the rest of my life. My promise to my sweet brother is that his son will never not know who he was. How loving and caring and sensitive his daddy was. How he was an amazing musician, and how music can and will always bring him back to us. How much he wanted to be there for him. How he loved him more than anything in this entire world. My brother fought the good fight. He suffered from anxiety and depression which eventually led from one thing to the next. He never truly learned how to deal with life without turning to a substance. Hindsight is 20/20. I wish I knew then what I know now. That addiction is a disease of the mind. That he did not want to be an addict any more than we wanted it. But that it is just not that easy. My hope for the future is to end the stigma. Love, compassion and understanding can change someone's life. I advocate for recovery. I advocate to end the stigma. Because those we have lost, and those still struggling, they are all someone's someone. They deserve to be here and live a life free from addiction.

Grace

I miss you so much daddy. My dad Warren Skidmore passed away November 2, 2013 to a methamphetamine and heroin overdose. I didn't have any idea he was a drug addict. He held it together. I found him in the bathroom dead after breaking into his room because he didn't come out for an hour. I miss you and my heart aches every day.

Hannah Skidmore

My 21 year old son Sean passed away 2 years ago in a one bedroom apartment living on his own for 8 months. We miss him greatly but believe he's now in a better place, waiting for us. Losing him left a huge hole in our family...time stands still and our lives will forever be defined by his daily absence. We miss you Sean and we love you! Love, Dad

Mike

In memory of my friend Sean. Sean was one of the nicest people I've known. He cared a lot about his son, family and friends. I was honored to have him as a friend. He died of an accidental overdose after having battled the disease of addiction for many years. R.I.P. Bro Sean Hanagan August 26, 1986-March 30, 2013 Posted 16/06/2019

Peter (Pistol)

Daddy, I miss you more and more every single day. I wish more than anything that you could look into the eyes of your grandson who looks so much like you, he's even named after you. You would love him. You'd love all of your grandchildren. 4 weeks before my 12th birthday, you were gone. I was supposed to see you that day and you never made it. I love you more than I ever told you and for that, I'm sorry. But I'll always be your baby girl. ♥

Christina

Walking in memory of my two nephews, Thad and Andrew lost to overdose, as well as all of those families that have suffered loss. While we remember those we have lost we also want to celebrate and honor those in Recovery!

Kris R

Joshua Mudd I miss you everyday! You will always be my baby boy. Until we meet again. Mom

shawnte

My son Jonathan died of a heroin overdose September 26,2015, after being in a coma for 20 days. He was coersed into trying drugs. I had no idea when I got the phone call that he had ever tried drugs. He refused to even take Advil.I miss my son terribably. I am in a group called The HEAT heroin education action team. We educate school kids and others on the evls and consequences of ever trying drugs. Using the stories of our sons and daughters and their deaths due to drugs.

Karen S

To Jason. How many days am I supposed to wait to say anything? I can't believe you did this. I'm upset at you. And I'm so sorry. For so much. And I know you were so sorry as well. We did our best and it wasn't enough. And now, we don't have a choice. Because you're gone. Alex, Ella and Liam love you so so much. And as mad as I was, I always loved you. We went thru so much together. Grew together and grew apart. Lol! I am talking to you like you're still here. Like a crazy woman. I am forever going to live with this gaping hole. You stole my heart. We broke one another's heart but you forever will have it. To have some time back and been totally honest with myself. Would it have saved you? I will never know. I want your soul here with us. Watching over these children. Finish it out with us. Let us know you're here some how. I know Jesus welcomed you, but tell Him to wait a few years. We still need you. I do know you're not in agony anymore. You're not struggling anymore. And you're not tormented anymore. The war is over. And for that I am so so thankful. But I will never be whole until we are together again.

Posted 28/06/2018

Sarah L H

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

July 4 th 2019 I lost my 17 year old son Darrius Morsha Steward Jr .to a suspected overdose of what I Assume and have heard through Rumors to be from Xanax and Percocet laced with fentenal I have yet to receive the toxicology report which could take up to over Three months his death was ruled no foul play I’m trying to Use his face and story to help other kids and parents and friends Know or No! Has Become A driving Motivation for me my Son was My First Genuinely Feeling Of Love and Care I ever experienced I feel I was Cheated and Robbed July 4,2019 Please Don’t Understand unless It Happens To yours🅿️💯👑Rocboy MAC Darrius Steward Jr won’t Die in vain if I can Help one Young Person or Anyone I’m assistance in Know what they are consuming or opting to say No I feel I’m Keeping my Sons Memory Alive a Well🙏🏾 Posted 22/07/2019

Ronda Wilson

Robbie, my baby....the world has changed since you've gone, you are my world and I miss you so much...my heart is yours forever.......why?

Sandra

12.13.89 - 11.28.113 Robbie, I miss you so much and will always remember all the fun times we had, the inside jokes, and just how we were supposed to grow old together. I know you're still with me and I strive to make you proud. You were my soulmate and no matter what anyone says we know the love we had for each other and that is eternal. Love you and miss you baby boy 6.19 forever.

your dee baby

Rest peacefully my love.....gone to soon....but I know you're resting in the palm of Gods hands.....until we meet again🙏💞❤🐾take care of my baby pugsly🌷🐾

LAURA V

The love of my life passed seven years ago when my daughter was four. Answers aren't there, closure no where in sight. It's hard to understand. I love and miss him so much. My daughter is having a hard time remembering him. I have a few videos and pics 1000th ankle goodness.

Tracy

I lost my mom on march 14th 2019 to a drug overdose. Her name was Carla Marie Nelson. Gosh it still doesnt seem real when i say it. She was someone you looked up to and could run to with all your problems. She was always there with open arms. My mom was a nurse and loved caring for others. She started to have pain in her back and had to have surgery. We then found out she had a disease in her back that would eventually make her wheel chair bound. The doctor prescribed her pain killers and she got addicted. She struggled so long with her addiction and tried to quit so many times. Now i dont have my beautiful loving 47 yr old mom that had so many years left! I love you mom and we all miss you so much! 💜 Posted 18/06/2019

Justine

My sweet Will, my life changed forever the day your heart stopped beating. I miss you so much, not a minute goes by that I don't think of you. I can't believe that an accidental overdose took you away from us forever. I love you my son, Mom

Your Mom

RIP Skylar, I love and miss your smile so much.

Lindsay

My one and only. Love you forever and a day... Miss you my boi.💜

Alexander Steele

My first born child died on 1/4/17. He had such a great 2016 that I stopped waiting for the call. His daughter turned 1 yr old 6 days after he died. He was so smart, interesting, funny and talented. He had a big heart and a big winning personality. He touched so many lives and many of his friends in recovery credit him to being a part of their success. I miss him even in my subconscious. 25 years wasn't enough but it's all he was meant to live. He left quite a mark on every person he knew and loved. Can't wait to see him on the other side when my time has come.

Posted 19/07/2018

Christine C

Hey little bro, Mom and I miss you deeply. Your giant bear hugs and dry sarcastic humor. Bright beautiful blue eyes and purposeful laugh. You made the world a better place, brought joy to those around you and always gave a mean foot massage. Whenever I hear Tracy Chapman or Neil Diamond I tear up. We love you.

Sienna & Darlene

Missing you deeply my son. Forever in my heart. Love , Mom Miami, Florida 33176 USA

Eric F.

Jack passed away on July 12th, 2019. We had been casually dating for a year and a half, but I was head over heels in love with that man. After pining away for him, resigning myself to the fact that if all I could be was his favourite, and close friends than that's what I would be, finally he asked me to move in, giving in to our love, our connection...five days later he was just GONE, and it has broken me, I still spend sleepless nights crying and talking to him, looking at his pictures and our old texts and messages, grieving the loss of the man I loved, my dear friend and the future we could have had together. I will love him until my last breath, and I will find him again, in some other life

lisa

My daughter Layla Kate Heckel died of a heroin overdose. 9/12/91-10/16/11. She was a beautiful person.

Cheryl

Loving wife, best friend,my cherished love you are missed every day a thousand times. Chronic pain was your reality; I know that. Addiction was also. I am eternally sorry I couldn’t help you more. Please know I am committed now to remembrance and helping to ensure others know about the systemic problems that allow horrific and tragic deaths to occur. I miss you love. And now want to turn my love to action preventing other families this needless heart crushing pain.

Wendy

My youngest and only, son Justin "Buddy" Pratt was a cute, blonde headed little boy who could make you mad one minute and laughing the next. Buddy loved the outdoors and had a grin that melted my heart. He will be remembered and missed every second of every day. His life and death has saved lives through the non-profit organization Buddy's Purpose that was started to bring awareness and education to our communities. Mom Loves you Bud your forever in my heart and on my mind! Cherry IL 61317

Lori Brown

Every breath I take I think of you, miss you always. Love you forever! Tara Lynn Caton 11/21/82 -6/19/18 Posted 26/06/2019

Karen Caton-taylor

To: Benjamin Kennedy Cartwright Benny Boy you were the light of my life, and the heart and soul of all our family. Your father loved you and your siblings adored you. You were also the naughtiest little devil going around. In your short 23 years you crammed more into those years, than most people do in a lifetime. When you were at your "worst" you would play the piano for me to calm me down it worked every time. Your legacy to all of us was you made the sun shine brighter for all of us and the Frank Sinatra song "I Did it My Way" was your anthem and we played it at your funeral as well as "Benny and The Jets". The world lost a talented young man the day you died. Rest easy my darling boy my "Blonde Bombshell" Forever Young Your loving mother, father and siblings

Paula Cartwright

Casey Willis Forever 26

Jennifer

January 21, 2015 the world lost and incredibly funny young man, great father and husband. So young... His family and friends miss him every day. We love you Justin!

Tammy