International Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
31 Aug 2017 |International Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.
It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
Taking its key themes as prevention and remembrance, its goals are:
- To provide an opportunity for people to publicly mourn for loved ones, some for the first time, without feeling guilt or shame.
- To include the greatest number of people in 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 drug users that they are valued.
- To stimulate discussion about overdose prevention and drug policy.
- To provide basic information on the range of support services that exists in the local community.
- To prevent and reduce drug-related harm by supporting evidence-based policy and practice.
- To remind all of the risks of overdose.
International Overdose Awareness Day is guided and supported by the International Overdose Awareness Day Committee.
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