According to provisional data from the CDC, of the more than 93,000 reported drug overdoses in 2020, more than three-quarters were attributed to opioids. Additionally, in 2019, there were more unintentional overdose deaths in the workplace than in any other year since data collection began in 2011.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held Aug. 31 each year to remember those gone too soon from overdose deaths.
What can you do?
- Encourage your workplace to participate in IOAD observance activities
- Hold a candlelight vigil
- Offer an educational program, such as one related to preventing opioid use, in partnership with a local organization
- Provide a safe space for telling the stories of overdose victims
- Offer a large canvas and washable paint so survivors can add a handprint in memory of their loved one
- Display empty hats or shoes to represent the number of lives lost in the community
- Add the name of a loved one who died of an opioid overdose to the Celebrating Lost Loved Ones map
- Purchase or create purple wristbands, pins, shirts or other items and wear them on Aug. 31
- Research state and federal legislation that addresses opioid overdose prevention, and write to your representative
- Support NSC efforts to end the opioid epidemic by making a gift in honor of a loved one
- Find additional resources at overdoseday.com
