International Overdose Awareness: Each year on August 31, we unite in memory and action to honor those we’ve lost and empower our community to prevent overdose.
What is International Overdose Awareness Day?
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global campaign held each year on August 31, created to raise awareness about overdose, reduce the stigma of drug‑related deaths and remember the lives lost and the grief of their families and friends.
Why this day matters to us?
Since its start in Australia in 2001 and coordinated globally by the Penington Institute since 2012, IOAD has grown into the world’s largest annual campaign of its kind. In our community, such reminders help us reflect on the impact of overdose and commit to providing support, resources and healing.
How to observe and take action
- Remember those we have lost, through moments of silence or a symbolic gesture like a purple ribbon, the official color of IOAD.
- Learn and share signs of overdose and what to do, especially the importance of having naloxone on hand, a medication that reverses opioid overdose and is safe and easy to use.
- Reduce stigma, treat addiction as a health issue not a moral failing, and foster compassionate conversations.
- Get involved, by participating in local vigils or community outreach to spread awareness and support recovery.
Signs of opioid overdose include:
- Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness
- Slow or no breathing
- Snoring or gurgling sounds
- Cold or clammy skin
- Blue or purple lips and fingertips
What to do:
- Call 911 immediately
- Administer naloxone if available
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
- Stay with them until help arrives
Honoring our commitment in Tampa
Here in Tampa, we invite you to join us in honoring this day. together we can offer a supportive, stigma‑free environment, share naloxone education, and encourage compassionate care. Book an appointment today to discover how our clinic supports overdose awareness and prevention, and to access compassionate care and resources personalized for you.
Sources:
CDC Gov sobre IOAD: su origen, propósito y simbología
Penington Institute y campaña global IOAD
English
Spanish