Since 2001, International Overdose Awareness Day has been held every year on August 31st. It is a day to remember those we've lost or were permanently injured due to an overdose and to help family and friends heal from their grief. The Penington Institute combines personal experiences with evidence-based research to bring attention to this global issue and promote overdose prevention.
Overdoses are classified as fatal or non-fatal and intentional or accidental. They can occur with prescribed therapeutic drugs, such as heart or blood pressure medications, but we usually associate drug overdoses with non-prescribed or illicit drugs. These drug classifications include alcohol, crystal methamphetamine, depressants, new psychoactive substances (also called synthetic drugs), opioids, and stimulants. According to Penington's Facts & Stats, "in 2021, an estimated 296 million people – one in every 17 people aged 15-64 – had used a drug in the past 12 months, a 23 per cent increase from 2011." It also reported "the estimated number of people using opioids globally has doubled from 26-36 million people in 2010 to 61.3 million in 2020." With thousands of drugs available today, this international crisis is only getting worse. It may actually be worse than we believe, as some countries classify overdose deaths as heart attacks or respiratory failure.
Depending on what was taken, a person's symptoms may include difficulty waking, excessive agitation, confusion, difficulty breathing, limp or rigid muscles, seizures, flushed skin, blue tinged lips or fingers, nausea, or vomiting. With any overdose contact an ambulance immediately, never leave the person alone, do not give them anything to eat or drink, and—if they're unconscious—turn them on their side. In cases of opioid overdoses, such as with fentanyl and heroin, Narcan (also called naloxone) can be administered as an injection or a nasal spray to reverse the effects of the drug. The length of action of the drug taken may last longer than the reversal, so additional doses of Narcan may be needed.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a worldwide effort to educate people on the signs and symptoms of drug overdoses and to prevent the devastating consequences that can occur. If we all work together—from government leaders and officials to healthcare providers, law enforcement officers, and teachers—we have the ability to reduce the prevalence of drug overdoses. Education, compassion, and seeking answers as to why dangerous drugs are so easily accessible can help prevent this global issue.
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