Why National Overdose Awareness Day Matters: Powerful Prevention Strategies

Date Published: August 25, 2025

Every year on August 31, National Overdose Awareness Day highlights the devastating impact of overdose, the lives lost to addiction and the families and communities left behind.

A day of remembrance but also action, National Overdose Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma and empower people with the knowledge and tools they need to respond to opioid overdoses effectively. This day carries more urgency than ever — overdose rates continue to rise throughout the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses in a recent 12-month period, with opioids involved in nearly 75% of those deaths.

Behind each statistic is a person — a loved one, a neighbor, a friend. Overdose can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, income or background.

What Is National Overdose Awareness Day?

Observed globally, National Overdose Awareness Day (also known as International Overdose Awareness Day) recognizes the tragedy of those who have lost their lives to drug overdoses and acknowledges the grief of those left behind.

It's also a platform for education, community engagement and harm reduction — encouraging individuals and organizations to take proactive steps in preventing overdoses and promoting recovery resources.

This year, take time to learn more, talk openly about the risks of opioids and consider how you can prepare to help in an emergency.

Understanding Opioid Overdoses

Opioids — both prescription and illegal — can slow breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels. In high doses or when combined with other depressants like alcohol, opioids can cause a person to lose consciousness or stop breathing entirely. Opioid overdoses are medical emergencies requiring immediate action.

Common signs of an opioid overdose include:

• Decreased breathing effort (e.g., breathing slowly and/or only a few times a minute)*
• Gasping or gurling*
• Unresponsiveness*
• Blueish or grayish skin color*
• Cardiac arrest*
• Evidence of opioid use

*Note: Signs and symptoms with a * require immediate emergency medical treatment.

Recognizing these signs early and acting fast can save lives.

Get Trained: Opioid Overdose Courses

To support communities and individuals in combating the opioid crisis, consider taking a course focused on opioid overdose response and naloxone administration. These educational opportunities are designed for anyone — health professionals, educators, community members and families — who wants to be prepared.

Our Red Cross Opioid overdose course covers topics from identifying an overdose and next steps, including:

• Acting in an emergency
• Administering naloxone
• Knowing what to do after naloxone
• Recognizing signs of an overdose
• Understanding opioids and their effect

Opioid overdose training courses are grounded in science and support a commitment to public safety. They empower people to respond confidently and compassionately in times of crisis.

Practical and Proven Specialized Skills

The American Red Cross offers a 45-minute in-person Skill Boost, Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Administration, to help individuals recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and learn how to respond effectively. This hands-on course provides practical training on how to administer naloxone using a nasal spray or nasal atomizer.

Skill Boosts can be added to a standard First Aid/CPR/AED course, making them a valuable enhancement for anyone committed to emergency readiness. To enroll in any Red Cross Skill Boost, participants must hold a current certification in First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use.

Why Opioid Overdose Training Matters

Many people hesitate to act during an overdose because they feel unprepared or afraid of doing the wrong thing. But with the proper training, you can step in with confidence — and possibly save a life. Whether you're a concerned parent, teacher, coach or simply a compassionate community member, taking time to learn these skills can have a lasting impact.

And remember laws in many states protect individuals who administer naloxone or call 911 during an overdose emergency. It's always better to act than to do nothing.

Act This Overdose Awareness Day

• Get trained. Take a Red Cross course.
• Reduce stigma. Talk openly and compassionately about substance use and recovery.
• Remember. Attend a local vigil or community event to recognize and remember those who have passed away.
• Spread awareness. Share resources and facts about opioid overdoses on social media.
• Support your community. Volunteer with harm reduction organizations or donate naloxone kits to support those in need.

Dying from an overdose is preventable. Lives can be saved when communities are educated, equipped and empowered to act. This National Overdose Awareness Day, take the first step by learning how to respond — and encourage others to do the same.

Behind every overdose statistic is a human story; let’s work together to ensure those stories don’t end in silence. Learn more and get opioid overdose trained today.