On August 31, 2001, Sally J. Finn established the first Overdose Awareness Day in St. Kilda, Melbourne. Since that day, the event has grown into an annual international awareness campaign devoted to memorializing lost loved ones and educating global communities about the dangers of drug addiction and the prevalence of overdose-related deaths. Unfortunately, the need for this campaign increases with each year. In 2017, over 72,000 Americans passed away from drug overdose.
You can support Overdose Awareness Day by:
- Wearing purple clothing on August 31
- Donating to the International Overdose Awareness Day website
- Purchasing official Overdose Awareness Day merchandise
- Joining the National Safety Council’s Facebook candlelight vigil
Across the United States, communities are providing educational resources, candlelight vigils, and special activities in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day. This is a great opportunity for families to share stories of their lost loved ones and for people with addiction to gain strength from their community. If you’re interested in attending an event, check the International Overdose Awareness website for locations in your local area.
If you want to host your own event, you can utilize the following resources:
- The International Overdose Awareness Day website provides downloadable educational resources and campaign materials.
- The National Safety Council is providing Prescription Drug Community Action Kits.
We Can Help You
Addiction is a very serious problem affecting over 7 million Americans. If you are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, contact The Carter Treatment Center. Our holistic drug rehab center is committed to helping individuals effectively combat their addictions. Let us help you walk the path to recovery.
Contact The Carter Treatment Center at (470) 613-8167 to learn more about our services.
