Share this page

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

Abeni Mary Agnes Sharon Forsythe

I love you and miss you so much my beautiful precious princess queen 🙁 losing you was the worst thing that happened to me and having to learn to live without you has been the biggest challenge that I have ever gone through. I know that I was never the best mother but I know in my heart and soul that when I sobered up that I was the best mother a kid can ask for. I know we didn’t see eye to eye with a lot of decision making and sometimes my mother decisions upset you and made you upset with me and I have to live with that every day, I hope that you know that no matter what I loved you with everything i got. I dream about you and your upset with me in my dreams for not being there for a time period when I was so lost myself and I am deeply sorry for that my baby. I need to forgive myself for a lot of things and most of all I pray that you were able to forgive me to. I love you my Abeni Mary Agnes Sharon Forsythe, with all my heart and all my soul and with everything I got. Soon I will be letting your ashes go, and i think that will be one of the hardest days of my life but it needs to be done so you can rest easy my baby. I miss you calling me mama, I miss your cute little fingers in my hair or helping me scratch an itch on my back, I miss your hugs and I miss your thoughtfulness and kindness towards absolutely everyone. I miss everything about you my baby and I wish that you never left so soon because you were supposed to take care of me when I grew old 🙁

... Love your Mama

My little brother

8/11/22 The day our hearts shattered, and the world changed as we knew it. You will always be in our hearts forever.

... Sara

My big and only brother

Overdosed in 2023 still isn’t easy

... Mike

Jordan

I miss you. I hate how your story ended. I wish you had more time to fight and find happiness outside of drugs. You deserved more out of life. You had so much to offer.

I look for you everywhere, but I’m always disappointed. It’s hard to accept I may never find a bond like ours again.

Thank you for helping me become a better version of myself. You had many flaws, but you were always rooting for me. I hope you know I was always rooting for you too.

RIP my sweets

... Briana

Matt Staben, my big brother

You will always be remembered.
You will always be here.

... Nick

Efren Adam Salazar (My Big Brother)

To my forever Big brother. Though I have outlived you by 18 years in my mind and heart you will forever be my Big Brother. I am so sorry that this evil thing called addiction, took over in a way you felt there was no way back from. Me being and addict in recovery, can never wrap my head around why I am still here. When you like many many other were not so lucky. It’s so unfair. My entire world changed the day you left. This world would be so much better if you were still here, our lives would be so much happier. In the 29 short years you were in this world in my eyes you lived so much and did so much, even though life knocked you down several times, you still found a way to bring so many people happiness. I am proud and lucky to have had such an amazing big brother that always protected me since the day I was born. I have so many good memories of you. I only wish you were still here because I know a million more good memories would have followed. This Tribute is to you and the life you lived, the smiles and laughter you brought to myself and many other. I Love you so much. I hope you are now free of all your pain. I feel you watching over me. Until we meet again in heaven above. God Rest your soul.
You are forever 29 but forever my Big Brother!!

... Melanie Salazar

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.

  *
 *
 *
 
 
 
*
*Required Fields
Note: It is our responsibility to protect your privacy and we guarantee that your data will be completely confidential.