Submitted by Kyana Anderson, HKYFS Prevention Coordinator
(August 28, 2024) — Haddam Killingworth Youth and Family Services reminds you that every year, National Overdose Awareness Day is observed on August 31st, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of the lives lost to drug overdoses and as a call to action for communities. National Overdose Awareness Day is the nation’s largest campaign to raise awareness about overdose. This day provides an essential opportunity to raise awareness about the overdose epidemic, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends left behind.
In the United States alone, more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The numbers are staggering and in part a direct reflection of the production and smuggling of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl over the past decade.
National Overdose Awareness Day is not just a day of remembrance, but also a day of education. Increasing public awareness about the risks of drug use, the signs of an overdose, and the availability of treatment and prevention services are crucial in combating this epidemic.
Many national campaigns have been developed to promote overdose prevention education, including the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” initiative. In 2024 alone, the DEA seized 33.4 million fentanyl pills and over 4,500 pounds of fentanyl powder. Shockingly, it is estimated that 7 out of 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, approximately 2 mg.
Fake pills, designed to mimic real drugs like Adderall, Xanax, and OxyContin, have become increasingly common across the United States, often containing lethal doses of synthetic opioids. The DEA warns that drug traffickers frequently use social media to advertise and sell these illicit drugs, particularly to youth, making it crucial for parents and caregivers to stay vigilant.
Other educational campaigns emphasize the importance of learning to use naloxone and carrying naloxone, as well as the importance of understanding how to identify an overdose and how to protect yourself and others. Naloxone has saved countless lives, but its effectiveness depends on public awareness and accessibility. Haddam Killingworth Youth and Family Services offers naloxone training opportunities throughout the year, with the next session scheduled for September 2024.
Minimizing access to opioids starts at home. Dispose of unused medications by obtaining a drug deactivation pouch from HKYFS, attending a DEA drug take-back day in October or April, or using the medication drop box at Troop F in Westbrook. Most importantly, talk to your child about the importance of remaining substance-free and the dangers of taking medications that aren’t prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.
Let this year’s National Overdose Awareness Day serve as a meaningful reminder of the devastating impact of drug overdoses on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. It is a day to honor the lives lost, support those who grieve, and renew our commitment to preventing future tragedies.
By raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and taking meaningful action, we can move closer to a world where fewer lives are lost to overdose. Haddam Killingworth Youth and Family Services is committed to fostering a healthy community in our towns.
You can obtain deactivation bags, naloxone, and other resources by contacting Prevention Coordinator Kyana Anderson at Preventioncoordinator@hkyfs.org or 860-345-7498. You can also join the Haddam Killingworth Community Coalition to further support these efforts.
