Many events planned for International Overdose Awareness Day 08.18.2023

August 18, 2023

Many events planned for International Overdose Awareness Day

MOBILE, Ala. — August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). Each year on this day, the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) remembers those who have passed away because of an overdose, recognizes the family and friends affected by overdose deaths, and brings awareness to our community.

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, MCHD’s Overdose Prevention team will be hosting its second annual Overdose Awareness 5K on August 26 at Mardi Gras Park from 8 a.m. to noon. This 5K was organized to bring awareness to the community regarding the dangers of misuse and abuse of Opioids.

Also, the team wants to remember those who have passed away because of an overdose and support those individuals who are at high risk for overdosing. This event is free to the public, and we will have vendor tables set up for our walk participants to visit after the 5K.

On August 31 at the Saenger Theatre, the Drug Education Council will be hosting the International Overdose Awareness Day event featuring John McAndrew and his “The Power of Music in Recovery” presentation. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. MCHD’s Overdose Prevention team will have a vendor table providing resources in support of International Overdose Awareness Day.

As our community continues to see overdose deaths increase, it is imperative that we continue to engage with our community to provide prevention strategies and recovery services. An overdose can happen to anyone. Recently, Hollywood actor Robert DeNiro lost his grandson to a Fentanyl overdose.

MCHD’s team is equipped to support overdose prevention and harm reduction and navigate participants through recovery. To learn more about MCHD’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program, call 251-410-OD2A (6322).

Information for OD2A can be found on the MCHD smartphone app. It is available to download for free in the App Store and Google Play. Search “My MCHD Health Check” or visit the following link to download the app — https://apps.myocv.com/share/a65536603. The app can be used in both English and Spanish.