If you’re looking to understand Overdose Awareness Month, you’re in the right place. This important observance provides a chance to reflect on those we’ve lost to overdose while encouraging action to prevent future tragedies.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through key ways you can get involved, from educational activities and community events to using social media to spread awareness.
You’ll also learn about vital resources, like Naloxone training, that help save lives.
If you’re new to Overdose Awareness Month or looking for ways to deepen your involvement, this guide will give you the tools you need to make a real impact.
Understanding Overdose Awareness Month
Overdose Awareness Month began in 2001 and has since grown into a global event observed on August 31. It’s a day dedicated to remembering loved ones lost to overdose and supporting those still affected.
The silver ribbon and the color purple are key symbols, representing remembrance and compassion. The core purpose is to educate the public on the preventability of overdose and promote harm-reduction strategies.
While Drug Awareness Month often centers on prevention and education about substance misuse, Overdose Awareness Month specifically highlights overdose prevention and remembrance.
Through this observance, communities host memorials, workshops, vigils, and training sessions to raise awareness and empower people with life-saving information.
By coming together on August 31, we honor those who’ve passed, support those affected by addiction, and work to prevent future overdoses.
Events and Activities During Overdose Awareness Month
Events, activities, and observances include memorial walks, community block parties, workshops, and online campaigns like #EndOverdose to raise awareness, support prevention, and honor lives lost to overdose.
1. Educational and Prevention Activities
Education is a major focus of this, helping communities understand how to prevent overdoses and save lives. Key educational activities include:
Naloxone (Narcan) Training: Free sessions teach how to use naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Anyone can be trained, and naloxone is easy to administer in emergencies.
Overdose Response Education: Workshops teach participants to recognize overdose signs, provide first aid, and administer naloxone effectively. Training emphasizes quick action and seeking help during an overdose situation.
Workshops and Panel Discussions: Experts discuss harm reduction, treatment options, and overdose prevention. These sessions equip attendees with knowledge to address substance use and support those in recovery.
Harm-Reduction Seminars: Local seminars reduce stigma around substance use, offer emotional support, and provide resources for individuals and families affected by addiction.
2. Community Events and Memorials
This is filled with events that help people remember those lost to overdose and raise awareness. These activities bring communities together for both mourning and education. Some key events include:
Candlelight Vigils & Tributes: These gatherings allow participants to light candles in remembrance of those lost to overdose. With moments of silence, readings, and speeches, they offer a reflective space for mourning and solidarity.
Memorial Walks: Participants carry banners or wear t-shirts with the names of loved ones they’ve lost. The walks symbolize remembrance and healing, fostering community support and raising awareness about overdose prevention.
Photo Tributes: Public displays feature photos and stories of those lost to overdose. These tributes personalize the issue, helping the community connect and reinforcing the need for awareness and action.
3. Awareness Campaigns
Social media plays a key role in raising awareness about this. People and organizations use digital tools to spread information and reduce stigma. Some ways to get involved include:
Hashtag Campaigns: Using hashtags like #OverdoseAware and #EndOverdose raise awareness about overdose risks. These campaigns allow people to share facts, stories, and resources, making it easier to connect and spread the message.
Wearing Purple: Purple symbolizes Overdose Awareness Month. Wearing purple ribbons, shirts, or accessories shows support for those affected by overdose. It’s a simple yet powerful way to demonstrate solidarity and raise awareness.
Sharing Facts & Stories: Sharing posts about overdose risks, recovery options, and personal stories educates others and reduces stigma. Encouraging people to share their experiences helps foster understanding and amplifies the message of prevention and recovery.
Resources and Tools for Prevention
Preventing overdoses requires access to effective tools and resources. Naloxone (Narcan) is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. It’s easy to use and widely available, with many organizations offering free training and kits during Overdose Awareness Month.
Beyond naloxone, trusted resources like the CDC provide educational toolkits to help individuals and communities understand overdose risks and prevention strategies. These resources include social media posts, fact sheets, and guides to reduce stigma and promote harm-reduction practices.
Additionally, websites like FindTreatment.gov help people find nearby addiction treatment services, offering crucial support for those seeking help.
By sharing and utilizing these resources, we can actively contribute to saving lives and fostering a supportive environment for recovery.
How to Find Overdose Awareness Events Near You
Overdose Awareness Month events take place in communities across the world, but they aren’t always easy to find in one place. Knowing where to look can help you take part, whether in person or online.
Here’s how you can find events near you:
- Check Local Health Department Websites: They often list Overdose Awareness Month events in your area.
- Visit Recovery Centers and Harm Reduction Organizations: Many post event details and helpful resources on their websites.
- Search Community Calendars: City or county websites often feature event listings, including workshops or memorials.
- Look at Public Libraries, Nonprofits, and Clinics: They may host related events or awareness workshops.
- Use Social Media Hashtags: Try hashtags like #OverdoseAwarenessMonth, #OverdoseAware, or #IOAD2025 to find event info.
- Follow Local Advocacy Groups: Keep up with event updates from recovery organizations and public health pages.
- Use Facebook and Instagram Events: Filter by date and location to find events near you.
- Join Virtual Events: If there are no local events, participate in online vigils, webinars, or naloxone training sessions.
- Host Your Own Remembrance: Light a candle, wear purple, or take a moment to reflect.
- Share on Social Media: Post awareness facts, resources, and encourage others to get involved in overdose prevention.
By using these tips, you’ll find ways to participate and make a difference during Overdose Awareness Month.
Overdose Awareness Month vs. National Recovery Month
Overdose Awareness Month and National Recovery Month complement each other, with August focusing on awareness and prevention of overdose, while September celebrates recovery, healing, and ongoing support for those in recovery.
| Aspect | Overdose Awareness Month (August) | National Recovery Month (September) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Raising awareness about overdose, preventing deaths, and reducing stigma | Celebrating recovery, honoring progress, and promoting support |
| Goal | Educate about overdose risks, remember lives lost, and promote harm reduction | Highlight recovery success stories and support ongoing healing |
| Key Observance | International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 | Focus on supporting those in recovery and promoting recovery services |
| Themes | Prevention, awareness, remembrance, and community action | Healing, treatment, resilience, and overcoming addiction |
| Connection | Serves as a precursor to National Recovery Month, creating a transition from awareness to recovery | Follows Overdose Awareness Month by shifting focus from loss to hope and healing |
| Activities | Memorials, educational events, vigils, and naloxone training | Celebrations, educational campaigns, testimonials, and advocacy events |
Both months work together to raise awareness, support prevention, and celebrate the strength of those in recovery.
Bottom Line
Overdose Awareness Month and International Overdose Awareness Day give you the opportunity to make a difference.
By participating in events, sharing resources, or simply spreading awareness, you contribute to the fight against overdose deaths.
If you attend a memorial walk, volunteer at a local event, or share information on social media, your actions can have a lasting impact.
I encourage you to take the next step, get involved in your community, share your voice online, or advocate for change. Every effort counts in reducing stigma and saving lives.
Together, we can honor those we’ve lost and work toward a future with fewer overdose tragedies. What will you do to help today? Your participation matters.
