International Overdose Awareness Day 2024: A Call to Remember, Reflect, and Take Action

Remembering Those We’ve Lost

On this International Overdose Awareness Day, we pause to remember the lives lost to overdose and the families left behind. These individuals are not just numbers but mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, friends, and loved ones. We remember them not for the way they died but for the lives they lived, the joy they brought, and the love they shared. Each life lost to overdose was a person with hopes, dreams, and a unique story. Their stories matter. In 2023 alone, the United States saw an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths, a small but significant decrease from 111,029 deaths in 2022. This marks the first annual decrease in overdose deaths since 2018, showing a glimmer of hope amidst the crisis. However, with opioids, particularly synthetic ones like fentanyl, continuing to play a significant role—accounting for 81,083 of those deaths—we recognize that there is still much work to be done.

Overdose affects nearly all of us, directly or indirectly. Whether we’ve lost a loved one, supported someone in their battle with addiction, or work on the frontlines of harm reduction, the impact is profound and far-reaching. Today, we reflect on the societal factors that contribute to overdose, including stigma, inadequate access to healthcare, and the criminalization of substance use. We acknowledge that these challenges disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating the crisis.

Our organization was founded by Kristy Steele in honor of her mother, Nita S. Steele, a kind, loving, compassionate, and generous woman who unfortunately received a “bad batch” of opioids that contained both fentanyl and carfentanyl. To keep alive the tradition of giving and spreading love that Nita embodied during her lifetime, Save Our Families was born. Tragically, in the summer of 2023, Micky Hodge Sr., an extended family member of Nita and Kristy, also passed away from a preventable overdose. Kristy said, “It’s painful to watch the people you love lose their lives to a substance that could be regulated.” 

Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions

Stigma and fear of drug use and drug users, particularly surrounding opioids like fentanyl, have produced many myths and misconceptions. It is crucial to dispel these myths and misconceptions because misinformation can perpetuate stigma, prevent individuals from seeking help, and hinder effective public health responses. By correcting false beliefs, we can promote a more compassionate and informed approach to addiction and overdose prevention, ultimately saving lives and fostering a healthier society. 

• • Myth #1: Touching fentanyl can cause an overdose, coma, or even death.
    • Absorbing drugs through the skin occurs slowly, if at all. Accidental contact with powdered fentanyl on your clothes or hands is unlikely to cause harm unless it comes into contact with a mucous membrane, such as your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Myth #2: If I administer naloxone incorrectly, I could seriously injure someone.
    • There have been no reported cases of injury or death from administering naloxone. In an overdose situation, the greatest risk comes from doing nothing. While side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness—similar to withdrawal symptoms—can occur, serious side effects from naloxone are extremely rare.

• Myth #3: Calling 9-1-1 is the best – and only – response in an overdose situation.

• • • Calling 9-1-1 alone isn’t enough; when someone stops breathing, brain damage can begin within 3 to 5 minutes. Administering naloxone and performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can save lives. However, it’s crucial to call 9-1-1 as well, since naloxone’s effects can wear off, and overdose symptoms may return. 

• Myth #4: Naloxone can cause a violent response in someone who has just overdosed.

• • • A combative reaction to naloxone is uncommon, occurring in only a small minority of cases. Naloxone will induce withdrawal in someone who has consumed opioids, which may lead to pain, distress, confusion, or agitation. However, the “fight-or-flight” response is rare, especially if the naloxone is administered by someone the person knows and trusts.

• Myth #5: Harm reduction (or safer substance use) condones the use of drugs.

• • Safer substance use is essential. Harm reduction focuses on helping people use substances more safely, thereby minimizing harm. A key aspect of overdose prevention is harm reduction, which prioritizes the health and safety of the person using the drug. This approach does not condone illegal or underage substance use; rather, it is a recognized strategy for ensuring that those who use drugs do so more safely. Harm reduction remains neutral on abstinence, viewing it as one of many practices that can reduce harm. This compassionate and humanizing approach seeks to improve the health of substance users and encourage their interest in treatment.

Taking Action: How You Can Help

This year’s theme, “Understanding and Compassion in a Time of Crisis,” reminds us that the fight against overdose requires empathy, education, and action. Here’s how you can contribute:

1. Educate Yourself and Others
   Learn about the signs of overdose, the importance of harm reduction strategies like Naloxone distribution, and the need for compassionate approaches to substance use. Share this knowledge with your community and challenge stigma where you encounter it.
2. Support Harm Reduction Initiatives
   At Save Our Families, we actively participate in harm reduction efforts, including the Ohio Department of Health’s Project Dawn initiative, providing free Naloxone to residents. Support or volunteer with organizations that promote harm reduction and access to life-saving resources.
3. Advocate for Policy Change
   Push for local, state, and federal policies that prioritize treatment and rehabilitation over criminalization. Advocate for improved access to mental health services, affordable healthcare, and comprehensive support systems for those struggling with addiction.
4. Spread the Word
   Use your voice on social media to raise awareness. Share stories, statistics, and resources highlighting the realities of overdose and the importance of understanding and compassion. Use hashtags like #EndOverdose to show solidarity.
5. Carry Naloxone
   Carry Naloxone and ensure you know how to use it; you never know when it will be needed to save a life.

A Message of Hope

While today is a day of solemn remembrance, it is also a day of hope; together, we can change the narrative around substance use and overdose. Challenging stigmas around substance use is crucial in creating a more compassionate and understanding society. When we approach substance users with empathy rather than judgment, we open the door to meaningful support and recovery. This shift in perspective allows individuals struggling with addiction to seek help without fear of shame or discrimination. Compassionate care fosters trust and encourages honest communication, which are essential components of effective treatment. By breaking down harmful stigmas, fostering communities of care, and advocating for systemic change, we can create a hopeful future where fewer lives are lost; recovery and healing are possible for everyone, improving the lives of all of those affected by addiction; and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Support Our Mission:

At Save Our Families, we work tirelessly to empower communities, provide education, and support harm reduction efforts. Your support allows us to continue this critical work. Let’s honor those we’ve lost by committing to action: consider donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about our mission. Together, we can make a difference.

Continuing Education Resources:

• Harm Reduction Key Terms
• Neuroscientist Dr. Carl Hart Explains Why All Drugs Should be Legal (Video)
• Ohio Overdose Prevention Network
• Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit

In Memory and Solidarity,
The Save Our Families Team