August 31st marks International Overdose Awareness Day. 

In recent years it seems that you hear about overdoses more and more in the news.  Gone are the days of only hearing about movie stars and millionaires overdosing and here we are in a time where it is a daily story about people in our own communities. These stories often focus on the opioid “crisis”, with over 4000 Canadian’s dying of apparent in opioid-related deaths in 2019 alone.  The positive spin is that these news stories also focus on the supports that are being put in place in various communities to prevent these overdoses, such as Overdose Prevention Sites. 

With it being so prevalent these days it is hard to believe that Overdose Prevention Day has been around since 2001. The first event was held by the Salvation Army of St.Kilda, Australia, to raise awareness and commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose. Nearly 20 years later International Overdose Awareness Day is observed around the world by various government and non-government organizations.  As of 2012 the Penington Institute has coordinated the day through the creation of buttons, wristbands, lanyards, social media content and event planning ideas to  organizations around the world bring awareness to this important topic. Through the International Overdose Prevention Day website you can even find events close to you and register your event to allow more people to attend.      

Would you like to know more? Check out… 

Over the Dose
Check out this cool campaign out of the State of Vermont, called Over the Dose.  It is a youth focused resource, specific prescription opioids, with lots of great information combined with engaging visuals.

CMHA- Overdose Prevention
Learn more about the signs, symptoms and harm reduction strategies to prevent an overdose.  

Public Health Ontario- Interactive Opioid Tool
This interactive tool gives you access to Ontario data not only around opioids but a number of public health related topics. Data in the tool can further be filtered to LHIN region or Public Health Unit Region to better look at your communities trends.     

If you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction and aren’t sure where to find help, download BeSafe.  It can connect you with the right resource at the right time in your community. 

Related Link: Substance Use