International Overdose Awareness Day: History, Theme, and How to Get Involved

What is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD)?

International Overdose Awareness Day is an annual campaign held on August 31st around the world.

The first IOAD event took place in Victoria, Australia, in 2001 under the direction of Sally J. Finn, a local needle-and-syringe program manager. Since 2012, the Penington Institute has supervised worldwide event coordination, with 40 countries recognizing IOAD. ^[1]

Overdose statistics and trends

Overdose deaths in the United States have declined for three consecutive years. Provisional 2025 data from the CDC estimate 69,973 drug overdose deaths that year. That’s a decrease of almost 14% from the 81,313 estimated in 2024, with declines reported in nearly every state. ^[3]

Meanwhile, final 2024 data show 79,384 drug overdose deaths. That’s about 23 deaths per 100,000 people, down 26.2% from the 2023 rate of 31.3, the largest single-year decrease recorded in the past decade. ^[4]

Stimulants continue to play a growing role in overdose deaths. While cocaine- and methamphetamine-involved deaths have also recently declined, fatal overdoses increasingly involve a combination of opioids and stimulants rather than either drug class alone. ^[5]

Experts credit improved access to naloxone and continued prevention efforts as contributing to the recent reduction of overdose deaths, confirming how important campaigns like IOAD are for our community. ^[3][6]

What's being done about the overdose crisis?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) continue to tackle the overdose crisis in multiple ways:

• Primary prevention: Supporting education programs developed by states and communities, and bringing the pharmaceutical and medical community’s attention to the risks of overprescribing addictive medications. ^[7]
• Naloxone distribution: Offering naloxone over-the-counter across the United States, when previously it was only available via prescription. ^[6]
• Community-based prevention and treatment: Addressing risk factors for overdose, including mental health conditions and past trauma, through community-based prevention and treatment programs. ^[8]
• Peer support: Supporting peer workers who work directly with people who have a substance use disorder. ^[9]

How to get involved in IOAD

There are several ways to get involved in International Overdose Awareness Day, from promoting the event to educating your community and healthcare providers.

What to do if you suspect an overdose

First of all, call 911 immediately if someone loses consciousness, stops breathing or can’t breathe properly, has a seizure that lasts longer than five minutes, or shows signs of a stroke or heart attack. These include chest pain, sudden numbness, or slurred speech. ^[10]

If this doesn’t apply but you’re still concerned, follow the steps in order below. ^[11] Still unsure whether someone is high or overdosing? In this case, it’s safest to treat the situation as an overdose. ^[12]

1. Check responsiveness. Call the person’s name loudly (if you know it) and rub your knuckles firmly on their breastbone. If they don’t respond, treat it as a medical emergency and continue the steps below. ^[11]
2. Call 911 immediately. Explain to the dispatcher what you’re seeing, and provide a specific address or location.
3. Give the individual naloxone if you have it, even if you’re unsure if they’ve taken opioids. Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose within minutes, yet has no effect if someone didn’t take opioids. Provide one dose following the product instructions, and give a second dose after two to three minutes if the person hasn’t responded. ^[6][10][11]
4. Support the individual’s breathing if you’re trained to do so. Provide CPR or rescue breathing if they aren’t breathing normally. Don’t wait for naloxone to take effect before starting. ^[11][13]
5. Once breathing improves, place the patient in the recovery position. This is on their side, with their airway kept clear to help prevent choking. ^[11]
6. Stay with the individual until the ambulance arrives, and keep monitoring them in the meantime. Naloxone’s effects are temporary and can wear off before opioids fully clear the body, so symptoms can return. More than one dose of naloxone may be required. A medical professional should evaluate the person, even if they seem to recover. If they seem to be overheating, which can happen during stimulant overdoses, offer water or a cool, damp cloth while you wait. ^[6][10][11]

Most states have Good Samaritan laws in place that offer legal protection to people who seek help for themselves or another person during an overdose to reduce hesitation or anxiety about calling 911. ^[12] However, Good Samaritan overdose laws vary by state, and protections may not apply in every state or in every situation.

Remember, this information is intended as general awareness and is not a substitute for professional medical training or advice.

Final thoughts

Twenty-five years following its first small gathering in Melbourne, Australia, International Overdose Awareness Day remains a strong reminder that overdose is preventable and nobody should face or grieve it alone.

Whatever role you play in the event, you’re an important part of a global effort working toward a day in the future where this awareness campaign is no longer needed.