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International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) – held on August 31 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 theme for 2024 is “Together we can”, highlighting the power of our community when we all stand together.

#IOAD2024 #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.

Tributes from the community

Bo bo

There’s not a day I don’t think of you
And wonder what it would be like to have you back in my life gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN….
DOB,(02-02-1987
02-05-21

I LOVE YOU UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN 💞

... Natasha

Jonny b

I miss that beautiful face and all the good times we had together. I hope you know that’s not the same here without you but I try to go on day by day. I never would have thought I would have woke up next to you like that. It’s hard for me to accept the fact that you’re no longer until we meet again my sweet angel
RIP 2-9-21

... Your pebbles

MaxMartin

MaxoWaxo ⭐️
Our love is with you always
Peace and Beats
Mela and Luna
X

... Mela

Beth Ann zephier

Hey my beautiful cuz geez I can’t even count the years u been gone but it still just feels like yesterday I love you miss you think about you daily

... Aunt corrine mama dee and cuz yvonne

Justin Lee "Beavis" Spitzock

My son, you lost your battle to addiction on Overdose Awareness Day 08/31/2024. You had 111 days in recovery before this and you were moving forward and making incredible progress. Even passed your peer support certification test with an astonishing 50/50! You would have been such an inspiration to those struggling! You had such an incredible testimony. You were smiling, laughing, and so full of life. It was the best time I ever got to spend with you! I will cherish those 111 days for the rest of my life. I got to know my son, I got to spend time with you, we had deep conversations, we were thriving in our relationship! You were texting or calling me daily. I just can’t make sense of what happened that triggered you to go back to that life. You went back to the group home that you had been successful at and you text me telling me “I am embarrassed”. I tried to encourage you that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. You were only there 2 days and on 08/29/24 you left the group home. I continued to text you but you never responded. It was breaking my heart. I text you everyday asking if you were ok. But unfortunately you were not. On 09/03/24 I got a knock on the door from the detectives telling me they found you on 08/31/2024 already deceased. You had wandered into a parking garage up to the 4th floor on 08/30/24 at 9:39pm where you were seen fidgeting and moving around until about 2:00pm on 08/31/24 when you ceased moving altogether. You were found at 3:49pm. I had texted you that same day at 3:54pm telling you it was terribly hot and how worried I was for you asking you to please tell me you were ok. But you were already gone. I am left with all these questions son. Why did you go off to be alone? Did you do this intentionally? Did you really just give up and leave us all here? Was the pain that severe? I will never know the reasons you were all alone. You didn’t deserve to die in that manner. You were so loved and so cherished! I know you had suffered as a child and struggled with the trauma you had endured. I am so sorry that I couldn’t save you son. I never ever wanted this for you. I will struggle the rest of my life in pain over your passing. I will likely never be able to forgive myself either. I don’t know that I will ever accept this. The only thing I can accept is knowing you are no longer in pain, no longer suffering, no longer living with guilt and shame. Rest easy my Beavis. You will always live within your mama. Ride it like you stole it honey! You are forever free to go wherever your heart desires. Until we meet again baby! Please know you are forever in my heart.

... Love, Mom

Karli, Hector,

Karli, I knew the moment that you didn’t contact me on Facebook like you said you would that you were gone. I didn’t know how I knew, I just did. I learned so much just from observing you. Despite the dire situation you were in, your upbeat attitude and positivity touched me in such a way that I adopted your attitude towards life.

... Kori

#IOAD. Time to Remember. Time to Act.

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

Sign up to the International Overdose Awareness Day newsletter and become part of the global movement to end overdose.

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