International Overdose Awareness Day is held on 31 August every year, and is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
Since 2021, International Overdose Awareness Day has been coordinated by the Penington Institute.
The campaign raises awareness of overdose, which is one of the world’s worst public health crises, and stimulates action and discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policy.
International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.
The campaign acknowledges the profound grief felt by families and friends whose loved ones have died or suffered permanent injury from a drug overdose.
SMART partner #RethinkAddiction has shared this story of John and Jude Trang to raise awareness of the issue.
Below you can watch John Ryan, CEO of the Penington Institute, speaking about the importance of the issue.