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In 2024, we developed a set of principles for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) to guide our collective efforts in addressing the overdose crisis.
By establishing this set of six clear, compassionate principles, we aim to motivate meaningful change in policies, practices, and attitudes towards overdose and overdose prevention within and beyond our community.
These principles will serve as a foundation for advocacy, education and community action, supporting us to work together towards our common goal: to end overdose.
Overdose is a global crisis—one that can feel overwhelming and impossible to solve at times—but it’s important to remember that this crisis is preventable.
Our first principle of International Overdose Awareness Day reinforces the fundamental belief that overdose can be prevented, and together, we can end this crisis. Even in moments of doubt, we should remember that we are taking useful steps to reduce harm and save lives.
Let’s commit to raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and taking action to prevent overdose and end this tragedy.
Overdose prevention solutions exist—yet putting them into action remains a challenge.
Our second principle of International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that we have the tools to prevent overdose and save lives. Evidence-based solutions like naloxone, harm reduction services, and safe consumption spaces are proven to work.
However, implementing these initiatives can be challenging, as it takes courage to adopt new approaches and an open mind to explore how these solutions can be adapted to different contexts.
Let’s commit to learning all we can about the various overdose prevention strategies and advocating for broader access to these solutions. By embracing innovative thinking and working together, we can overcome these challenges and make a real impact.
Our third principle of International Overdose Awareness Day acknowledges that criminalizing drug use has often caused more harm than good.
It can be difficult to see through the pain of losing someone to overdose, and in those moments, blame and punishment may seem like the best solutions. But to truly address this crisis, we need to look beyond criminalization and embrace compassionate, evidence-based alternatives that focus on health and dignity.
This International Overdose Awareness Day, let’s advocate for policies that prioritize care over criminalization. By pushing for approaches that support rather than punish, we can build a system that truly addresses the needs of those affected by substance use.
Our fourth principle of International Overdose Awareness Day underscores the need for strong, compassionate policies that prevent overdose and truly safeguard our communities. Laws should protect people, not punish them unnecessarily or hinder their access to support. Too often, drug-related laws are punitive rather than focused on what’s best for the rights and needs of individuals.
Through this principle, we aim to inspire the community to learn more about how policy and legislation can prioritize health, dignity, and human rights for all, while still enforcing necessary punitive measures against those who harm others.
Balancing protection and compassion is key to creating laws that truly safeguard our communities.
Our fifth new principle of International Overdose Awareness Day emphasizes that health care is a fundamental human right. Yet, too many people are denied the care they need due to stigma, discrimination, or lack of resources.
We believe that overdose prevention must be rooted in human rights-based advocacy, ensuring that everyone, especially those struggling with addiction, receives respectful and comprehensive care that is relevant to their individual, unique needs.
We encourage the community to take a stand for health equity. Support organizations that provide stigma-free care and advocate for policies that uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals. No one should be denied the health services that others enjoy, especially those most vulnerable.
Mobilizing community action and supporting local advocacy are at the core of what International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is all about. This is what our sixth and final principle for IOAD highlights.
We believe that change of this magnitude must come from the people—those who are directly impacted and understand what their communities need. This issue often remains hidden because it’s a complex problem that can be challenging or politically risky for leaders to address. But the voices of the community can shine a light on this crisis and drive the solutions necessary to end overdose.
IOAD is about saying that lives lost to something that is preventable is not ok. Join us in this effort—get educated, get involved, and help your community advocate for the change needed to end overdose.
