International Overdose Awareness Day 2026
To mark the 25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) 2026, the HSE's National Social Inclusion Office will host a free live webinar on Monday 31st August from 1pm to 2.30pm.
For 25 years, International Overdose Awareness Day has brought people together to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to save lives. Overdose continues to affect every community. Yet it can be prevented.
We invite you to join the event to help end overdose, remember those who have died without stigma and acknowledge the grief experienced by family and friends left behind.
Register for this free webinar here
This year the theme for IOAD is '25 Years. Still Needed'.
In honour of 25 years of International Overdose Awareness Day, we will be supporting 25 overdose awareness and naloxone education sessions across Ireland on Monday, 31 August 2026. These events will focus on supporting peer-to-peer information sharing to prevent overdoses.
About the webinar
Dr Denis O’Driscoll, independent chair of the National Naloxone Oversight Quality Assurance Group, will host the event and be joined by:
• Aisling Connolly sharing a poem she has written to remember those we’ve lost.
• Cathy Kelleher (HRB Research Officer, National Drug-Related Deaths Index) presenting on dual diagnosis and drug related deaths.
• Professor Eamon Keenan (HSE National Clinical Lead for Addiction Services) presenting an update on the HSE Naloxone Programme.
• Andy O’Toole, (Advanced Paramedic, Education & Competency Assurance Officer, National Ambulance Service College) sharing guidance on recognising and responding to suspected drug overdoses.
• John Dermody (Senior Services Manager, Depaul) and Andy O’Hara (Coordinator, UISCE) sharing the benefits of partnering to support peer-to-peer education in Depaul Little Britain Street.
• Dawn Russell (Chief Executive Officer, Ana Liffey) will be joined by a Mid-West Simon Circle Programme Graduate to share information on their Circle Programme expansions in 2026.
• Sinead Carey (Head of Homeless Service, COPE Galway) and Stephen Mc Evaddy (Homeless Service Peer Support Worker, COPE Galway): presenting on their partnership to facilitate their first Circle Programme.
• Anne Collins (Chief Nurse Officer, Clinical Lead for Mental Health and Addiction, Irish Prison Service) sharing insights into the Irish Prison Service and HSE Naloxone Programme partnership for in prison and visitor centre education.
• Deirdre O’Donoghue (Education Officer, HSE Mid-West Addiction Service) sharing feedback on sessions that have been facilitated for the men and women in Limerick prison.
Show your support online
Share your IOAD2026 message on social media, use the hashtags #EndOverdoseIRL, #IOAD2026, #25YearsStillNeeded and #NaloxoneSavesLives
Download the IOAD2026 image here
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