International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31st is an ambitious day. Few days of remembrances touch so many lives as those affected by overdose. So few days do we seriously set aside time to challenge our social perception and cultural norms. The 31st is a day for:

Remembering those who died of this preventable disorder
Sharing awareness of the opioid epidemic and its contribution to other drugs of abuse
Educating ourselves about the signs and symptoms of overdose
Reducing stigma for seekers of help
Preventing future deaths

Graphic Adapted from a New York Times article July 15, 2020

Oasis challenges you to read about the stark increase in overdose deaths. Where did these overdoses come from? Why did American lives suddenly begin to be affected by this? What will overdose deaths look like 5 years from now if we don’t do something? Questions like this allow us to answer how we reduce these deaths.

I’m a big believer in the questions above; questions are more important than answers. And answers are more meaningful if you look for them yourself. If the graph here resonates or upsets you, it’s time to do some research. And the international movement to end overdose is a good place to start. Visit www.overdoseday.com/

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