Each year, August 31st marks International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. Many harm reduction programs offer free naloxone and free training on using it. Check out the National Community-Based Naloxone Finder Map to find one near you.
World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH)
One of the best ways to raise awareness about the importance of reducing overdoses is to talk about this issue. They also bring together thousands of people who have a common interest in helping decrease the overdose rate and help people find lasting addiction recovery. Want to learn more about how we support individuals in early recovery?
Understanding the Rise in Substance Use in the Summertime
Educational and fundraising events are often held at these times to create a ripple effect of positivity and empowerment for not only those living with health conditions but also their loved ones. These include nasal sprays and auto-injectors, making it manageable for people to use without medical training. Many communities now also provide free naloxone training and distribution programs to increase awareness about its efficacy while making it easier to obtain. Understanding the significance of Overdose Awareness Day can help families and individuals affected by addiction find hope, resources, and pathways to genuine healing. The day also encourages those impacted to get more involved within their communities to help others.
International Stuttering Awareness Day October 22
If your doctor or another healthcare professional prescribes an opioid, talk with them about appropriate use. They can advise you on how to safely use the medication as prescribed and answer any questions you may have. Whether you want to learn more about harm reduction or how to help someone in a crisis, you’re in the right place.
Honoring Lives Lost, Inspiring Hope: Overdose Awareness Month
Here are 5 different ways you could show your support for International Overdose Awareness Day 2025. This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal awareness and health observances observances drug overdose needs. For more information about partnership opportunities, contact us today at
🕊️ Let’s use this month to honor the past, fight for the present, and build a future free from stigma, silence, and preventable loss. The third Thursday of every November, for more than 40 years, has been an opportunity for people to join others in quitting their tobacco habits, whether it’s cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and even vaping. The third week of October is an annual opportunity promoted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to learn about teen driver safety issues. With events hosted on college campuses, military bases and in communities around the country, this event takes place during Mental Illness Awareness Week. September 6 to 12, 2020, is set aside to observe the preventable tragedy of suicide, the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SAMHSA’s website lists the theme each year and provides resources for organizations and partners to promote the event.
- CDC and partners celebrate health awareness and observances each year.
- These tools can help clinicians inform patients, families, and/or caregivers about the value of naloxone in a non-stigmatizing manner.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) previously designated a week every January as National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.
- By Krystal Jagoo Krystal Kavita Jagoo is a social worker, committed to anti-oppressive practice.
- Recognizing these symptoms early can make a significant difference and save lives.
In August 2025, key dates include Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, World Photography Day, World Humanitarian Day, World Mosquito Day, and Sadbhavana Diwas. Each of these days offers a chance to celebrate culture, remember history, and raise awareness about important global and national issues. It’s true that, the more you know about the data, patterns, and care methods surrounding substance use and abuse, the better able you may be to prevent substance abuse in yourself and in your loved ones. But as important as it is to understand the science and statistics of substance abuse, it’s even more important to gain empathy for those who are experiencing these addiction issues. The rise in substance use and abuse was compounded by the lack of care available for those suffering from substance abuse or overdoses.
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is observed every August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. It almost seems fitting that this coincides with back-to-school preparations across the country. NIAM is an opportunity to educate your patients and community about the benefits of vaccination.
PTSD Awareness Month
- NIAM is an opportunity to educate your patients and community about the benefits of vaccination.
- Educational initiatives can help raise awareness about overdose prevention and the importance of treatment.
- Studies show that African Americans make up the largest group of minorities in need of organ transplants, yet they are consistently underrepresented in the donor pool.
- It’s dedicated to advancing the understanding of breast cancer and improving the treatment options available to patients.
Additionally, mixing substances, particularly combining opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines, can also significantly increase the likelihood of a fatal overdose. These symptoms require immediate medical attention, and quick action can save lives. To learn more about addiction recovery with GateHouse Treatment, click here.
Understanding these statistics helps contextualize the urgent need for comprehensive addiction treatment and overdose prevention strategies. August 28th through September 3rd has been proclaimed as Overdose Awareness Week. It’s a time to raise awareness of drug overdose, strengthen our efforts to prevent overdoses and substance-use related harms and deaths, and enhance our support for individuals with substance use disorders. In recent years, the overdose crisis has escalated, with opioids—both prescription and illicit—playing a central role. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 92,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2020 alone, the highest number ever recorded. This alarming trend highlights the need for immediate action and sustained efforts to combat this public health emergency.
