International Overdose Awareness Day is observed every August 31, a day set aside to remember those we've lost to drug overdoses, uplift survivors of overdose, and to encourage action to prevent more deaths. For the Black community, this day highlights deeper issues of unequal treatment, stigma, and the urgent need for better care.
In the past, drug use in Black communities was mostly treated as a crime or personal weakness, leading to many arrests and people being dismissed by community instead of receiving help and support. Today, with the ongoing overdose crisis made worse by drugs like fentanyl and xylazine, we can clearly see the impact of years of neglect and unfair treatment. Recent information from the National Institutes of Health shows overdose deaths increasing faster among Black men ages 31-47.
Let’s Address the Stigma
To end this trend, we must first address the stigma. We need safe places to talk openly about drug use. Education and prevention should include discussions on the role of trauma, racism, economic stress, and mental health—all of which influence drug use and addiction.
Harm reduction strategies, which have been proven effective, often lack funding and support in Black communities. While we are fortunate to have community collaborations such as the Milwaukee Community Collective that leverage resources to provide naloxone (a medication that reverses overdoses), safe-use supplies, and peer support on both the north and south sides of our city, we must find a way to promote and provide additional funding for these efforts to be expanded.
On International Overdose Awareness Day, let's not only remember those we've lost, but also commit to act. We need policies and resources that are fair and compassionate. By understanding and addressing the specific challenges faced by the Black community, we can move toward healing.
Let's honor those we've lost by working to remove the barriers causing suffering and isolation. Every life matters, every story matters, and together, we can turn awareness into lasting change. We invite you to recognize this day in your own way and join and support the activities or events that can be found at risedrugfreemke.org.
