International Overdose Awareness Day 2026

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. (IOAD)

This marks 25 years of global remembrance, awareness, and action.

This year's theme, "25 Years On. Still Needed.", reminds us that overdose continues to affect people, families, and communities everywhere.

Behind every statistic is a person.
IOAD is a time to honor people who have died from overdose, recognize the grief of families and communities, and support people affected by substance use and in recovery.
Overdose prevention is still needed.
Open conversations, compassion, person-centered language, and evidence-based action can help connect people to support.
Overdose is preventable.
Proven strategies — including naloxone, timely access to care, medications for opioid use disorder, education, and recovery support — can save lives.
CDC is carrying the IOAD theme forward through action:
Still Needed. Still Acting. Still Saving Lives.
CDC provides data, tools, training, and prevention resources to help communities understand overdose trends and respond to local needs.
Partners play an essential role in keeping the conversation going.
This IOAD, CDC encourages partners to share trusted resources, promote prevention and treatment connections, and continue supporting overdose prevention beyond August 31.

How to recognize an overdose

Recognizing an opioid overdose can be difficult. If you aren't sure, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose—you could save a life.

Administer naloxone or another opioid overdose reversal medication (if available) and then call 911.
Try to keep the person awake and breathing and lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
Do not leave the person alone.

Signs of an overdose may include:

Unconsciousness or inability to awaken
Slow or shallow breathing or difficulty breathing such as choking sounds or gurgling/snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened
Discolored skin (especially in nails or lips)
Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils" that don't react to light