PRO-ACT hosts NarCan Giveways to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, 2023
The Council of Southeast PA, and PRO-ACT joined with others around the world in coming together on August 31, 2023 to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. Observed on August 31st each year, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
On that day, PRO-ACT Staff and volunteers were in community settings throughout the region holding Overdose Awareness Narcan events. Thanks to local companies and organizations who agreed to host tables, our teams provided Narcan training and distribution in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties – you could find them by their #EndOverdose t-shirts!
Locations included:
Family Dollar Stores in Coatesville, Norristown and Philadelphia
Christ Episcopal Church in Pottstown
Modern Male Barbershop in Lansdale
Coatesville Area Library and Coatesville Comprehensive Treatment Center in Coatesville
Sunoco and Uptown Cheapskate stores in Bristol
Our Hospital Partners also joined in the day by having staff in the Emergency Departments don #End Overdose tshirts. They include Jefferson Health Northeast, Saint Mary Medical Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Health Northeast (at Frankford and Torresdale Campuses) and at Nazareth Hospital.
We’re grateful to these community partners for joining themselves to a global movement for understanding, compassion, and change.
“When families share the truth about how overdose has impacted their lives, I am always in awe at their courage, and their ability to look for how they can help someone else avoid that unimaginable loss. At The Council of Southeast PA, we are honored to work together on strategies to end overdose in our community,” said Jennifer King, Executive Director.
“We are so grateful to those in our community with lived experience who share their story in the hope that they can raise awareness about how we can prevent even one more life lost to overdose.”
International Overdose Awareness Day is convened by Penington Institute, an Australian not-for-profit. This year for the first time, they have announced a campaign theme: Recognizing those who go unseen.
Look for information about International Overdose Awareness Day 2024 – PRO-ACT will once again be out in our communities!
