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On August 31st, Master Center for Addiction Medicine will observe International Overdose Awareness Day. This annual campaign is part of a shared effort to end overdose, to remember without stigma those who have died, and to acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

Master Center invites the communities we serve and beyond to join us during International Overdose Awareness Day to raise awareness of overdose, which is one of the world’s worst public health crises. Let’s spread the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and stimulate action and discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention.

The goals of International Overdose Awareness Day are:

• To provide an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones in a safe environment, some for the first time without feeling guilt or shame.
• To include the greatest number of people in International Overdose Awareness Day events, and encourage non-denominational involvement.
• To give community members information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose.
• To send a strong message to current and former people who use drugs that they are valued.
• To stimulate discussion about overdose prevention and drug policy.
• To provide basic information on the range of support services that are available.
• To prevent and reduce drug-related harm by supporting evidence-based policy and practice.
• To inform people around the world about the risk of overdose.

If you’d like to get involved in International Overdose Awareness Day, consider hosting or attending an awareness day event to remember those who lost their lives to overdose. You can find events here.

In addition, Penington Institute provides campaign materials to share within your community to help prevent overdose. You may locate International Overdose Awareness Day resources here.

If you’d like to post a tribute to a loved one who has passed away from an overdose, you may remember a lost loved one here.

For those currently struggling with addiction, our team of addiction medicine experts are compassionate and committed to making addiction treatment accessible, understandable, and affordable to all. You may use the confidential form on our website to request an outpatient or telehealth appointment, ask a question, seek help for a loved one, or request more information about addiction medicine. You may also call us at 804.552.5122.