International Overdose Awareness Day 31st August 2022

This International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) we are collaborating with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Department of Health and Addiction & Advocacy Services, to host an online event on Wednesday the 31^st of August, from 11:00 – 12:00, as part of the world’s annual campaign to raise awareness about overdose, those who have died and to acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

The campaign raises awareness of overdose and promotes action and discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention.

The theme for 2022 is Time to Remember. Time to Act. A panel of expert speakers will discuss this year’s sub themes of Overdose & Drug Use in the Female Population and Stimulant Overdose.

As part of the 2022 activities, we want to capture messages from people who use drugs, service providers, families and local communities. To do this, we ask people to download an IOAD speech bubble to share their personal message, experience or opinion on the topics of overdose and related stigma. Posters and badges have also been provided to services nationally, to enable awareness raising at a local level.

Share your IOAD message over social media, using the #EndOverdoseIRL, #IOAD2022 and #ReduceTheHarms and follow & tag @drugsdotie, @HSELive and @HSE_SI.