CHILLICOTHE – Each year Overdose awareness day is held on August 31 this global event is recognized to raise awareness that overdose death is preventable.
Ross County Health Department is recognizing this day with markers that represent the 55 individuals that have died by overdose in 2021. The flags will stand as a memorial and a statement until National Overdose Day.
The event aims to reduce the stigma associated with drug-related death and provide support to families of overdose victims. It is also a day that acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends who have lost or had a permanent injury from a drug overdose.
The day is also full of hope and celebration of the thousands of people who have been saved from an overdose, and proving that lives can be saved and life is worth living.
It is also a time to act, a time to get information, to understand the signs of addiction, overdose, and what to do if you encounter someone that is overdosing.
Purple and silver are the colors adopted by IOAD. Specifically, silver is the awareness color for drug overdose, while purple is the awareness color for opioid addiction. There is an international campaign to turn buildings around the world purple on August 31.
