International Overdose Awareness Day August 31

Each year on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day is observed to remember the lives taken by overdoses without stigma or shame. Overdose death is preventable. Everyone can take steps to prevent opioid misuse and keep your loved ones safe.

This Overdose Awareness Day, remind your communities that 75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them—usually taken from a friend or family member. Locking up medications or safely disposing of unused medications can stop them from being misused. People can protect their loved ones by finding a medication take-back program near them.

For more resources about how to communicate about this topic in your community, visit the It Starts With One website at getthefactsrx.com.