Dear Friend,

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. Today, we hold space for the heavy silence left behind by nearly one million people that we have lost, in the last ten years alone, from overdose. Behind each death is a story of love, struggle, and the unbearable pain of loss for loved ones left in mourning. 

However, today we also hold space for survival. We honor the lives still being lived because of public health solutions that are beginning to reverse this crisis.

Overdose deaths remain high but are starting to decrease due to health and harm reduction solutions that help people stay alive and have a chance at recovery.
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​​​​​If we want to continue to lower overdose deaths, these are the health-based solutions we need to continue saving lives:

• Expand access to addiction medications (MOUD): Medications like methadone and buprenorphine save lives by reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while cutting overdose risk in half. MOUD should be widely available and accessible, including in jail/prison.  

• Increase naloxone access: Naloxone saves lives by immediately reversing an active opioid overdose. Improving access and research will help us keep people safe and alive. 

• Open overdose prevention centers (OPCs): OPCs divert drug use away from public spaces, provide connections to care, and respond to an active overdose at its earliest sign. They prevent overdose deaths, save lives, and promote recovery. 

• Improve drug checking and treatment access: Harm reduction, drug checking tools (like fentanyl test strips), and treatment can all help reduce overdose risk and address addiction. People seeking help with drug use often face more obstacles than support. We need treatment that’s accessible, voluntary, and tailored for each person’s needs. 

• Address the root causes of addiction: Many people use drugs to cope with physical or emotional pain. Ensuring people have access to housing, community, and mental health services can help address why people use. 

• Provide fact-based drug information: People use drugs for many reasons, from pain relief to pleasure. Accurate information helps people understand risks and, if they choose to use, do so more safely to reduce overdose risk. 

Our communities deserve compassionate, evidence-based solutions that prioritize health and safety. This Overdose Awareness Day, we stand firm in our commitment to fight for proven solutions to the overdose crisis. 

Together, we can save lives.