International Overdose Awareness Day 2018

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on 31 August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. This important day is about remembering those who have lost loved ones or suffered permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. It aims to spread the message that the tragedy of overdose death and injury is preventable. The theme is Time to Remember, Time to Act.

International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.

The HSE and partners, Merchants Quay, the National Family Support Network, Pavee Point and UISCE (Union for Improved Services, Communication and Education) and Simon Communities marked International Overdose Awareness Day 2018 with free Naloxone training events across the country.
Deaths from overdose continue to be a problem facing Ireland. Recent data shows that Ireland has the fourth-highest rate of deaths from overdoses in Europe, level with the United Kingdom and behind Norway, Sweden and Estonia.

The Naloxone Project

Naloxone is an antidote used to reverse the effects of opioid drugs like heroin, morphine and methadone if someone overdoses.
To mark International Overdose Awareness Day the HSE have worked with partner organisations to provide training in Naloxone around Ireland on 31st August. Naloxone training now includes intranasal as well as injectable Naloxone.
The HSE’s Naloxone Demonstrator project is about reducing drug-related deaths. As part of this project over 1000 naloxone kits have been issued and over 600 drug users and family members, as well as 800 community workers have been trained in how to administer Naloxone.