Overdose touches people and communities in many ways. While overdoses due to opioid use is prevalent (75% of drug overdoses involved an opioid in 2021) there are other types that can and do happen. It is equally as important to know the signs of the various other types of overdoses and how to respond because you could save a life.

This year’s theme is “Recognizing those people who go unseen,” and it honors not only the lives altered by overdose but those who have saved people from overdosing. Many first responders in situations like these are people like YOU — the bystander, the friend, all people who can save a life if they know the signs and how to respond.

Overdoseday.com has put together a comprehensive set of resources with education on overdose response, prevention and harm prevention that you can download here.

If you or someone you know is struggling, SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

To learn more about overdose prevention and International Overdose Awareness Day, visit https://harmreduction.org/

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you think someone is overdosing.

Additional Resources

https://www.overdoseday.com/

https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/

https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/fentanyl-test-strips.html

https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/naloxone/index.html

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

https://harmreduction.org/