Thanks to the increasing lethality of and access to opioid painkillers, fentanyl, and other substances, just about everyone has been impacted by substance misuse and overdose. It might be your child, a friend of a friend, or your favorite musical artist. Maybe it was someone you saw every day and maybe it was someone you haven't seen in years.
According to the Center for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics, there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2023. Of those fatal overdoses, 668 were in Milwaukee County.
The RISE Drug Free MKE substance misuse prevention coalition is among the organizations in our community that work to reduce and eliminate drug-related deaths.
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and RISE Drug Free MKE are proud to be among the sponsors of Healing Starts Today's Rhythm and Soles 5k Walk/Run Event honoring International Overdose Awareness Day. The event will be held at Veterans Park in Milwaukee on August 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the 5k walk/run, there will be memorialization activities, speakers, and naloxone (Narcan) administration training. The event will have healing spaces, guest speakers, community resources, and more. If you participate in an International Overdose Awareness Day event, you are participating in the fight to reverse the devastating trend of overdose. Check out RISE Drug Free MKE's website for resources and information about this year's event.
Harm Reduction Resources to Prevent Overdose
One key component is the knowledge of and accessibility to harm reduction resources and overdose prevention tools. You may think of sunscreen or a bicycle helmet as things that protect you from getting hurt. Sunscreen reduces the likelihood of getting a sunburn in the same way a helmet reduces the likelihood of a serious head injury.
So, what are some resources that contribute to reducing drug-associated harm and overdose? They include Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray, medicine lock boxes, and fentanyl test strips, and they can all be found at a Harm Reduction Vending Machine near you. Community Advocates' first floor reception area in our downtown offices (728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee) has a Harm Reduction Vending Machine, so you can stop by during regular business hours to pick up supplies - no questions asked.
Ending the Stigma around Substance Misuse
Stigma and shame unfortunately go hand-in-hand with substance misuse and overdose. Overdose awareness and prevention work include creating a better understanding of substance use to reduce and eliminate mistreatment, stereotyping, and bias. We don't blame an individual for living with bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder, yet society generally considers people with substance use disorder more responsible for their condition. Remember that substance misuse and overdose can happen to anyone, exemplifying the importance of addressing the issue at a societal as well as individual level. Recognizing you may have a substance use disorder and seeking support are life-changing and challenging first steps. There are resources and people who are not just willing to help, but actively want to see you live a happy and healthy life.
International Overdose Awareness Day Is a Safe Space for Survivors, Families, and Friends
International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 by Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, and has since been convened by Pennington Institute, an Australian not-for-profit public health organization. For over twenty years now, International Overdose Awareness Day events have been held around the world to raise awareness of overdose, a public health crisis trampling through our communities. With a mission to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and create change that reduces the harm associated with drug use, organizations, advocates and community members gather on August 31.
Substance misuse is often a difficult subject to discuss, there's no denying that. People grieve and mourn in many ways and there's no one right way to do so. International Overdose Awareness Day events aim to create a safe space for people to be heard and feel seen. It's an opportunity to remind communities how important it is to come together to remember the lives lost, support those in recovery, and plan how we are going to make a change. It's an opportunity to tell stories and pay tribute.
To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day in Milwaukee, click here.
