International Overdose Awareness Day 2024
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is held annually on the 31 August. The marks an opportunity for communities to come together and remember those needlessly lost to overdose, reduce stigma, and to highlight the overdose prevention solutions on offer.
To mark this years IOAD, we set up small memorial trees within our Bishop Auckland, Durham and Horden sites, for colleagues and the people that we support to submit their own tribute to be included on the tree. Allowing for a time of reflection and remembrance for those lost or injured to overdose.
Drugs are changing.
With the emergence of synthetic opioids that have been found in a number of illicit drugs within the UK, you can never be sure that what you taking is what you think it is. There is no safe way to take drugs, however, the safety information below can help reduce the risk of death from overdose.
What to do in the case of an overdose
Step 1: Call 999 and ask for an ambulance immediately. If you will be administering naloxone, advise the call handler of this.
Step 2: Put the person in the recovery position. Ask for help to do this if you are with someone
Step 3: Administer the naloxone as per the training that you have been given.
Knowing the signs
Understanding the signs of an overdose is important to know how to act quickly. Signs to look out for in an opioid overdose are:
Pinpoint pupils
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Breathing: Shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, or no breathing.
Colour: Blue colouring to the hands, lips or fingertips.
Unresponsive: The person is unable to answer questions.
Limp limbs: The person is unable to hold themselves up.
How to stay safe
Go low and slow: If you choose to use benzos, only use a small amount at a time, and wait between taking another dose.
Don’t use alone: Only use around people that you know and trust. Help others stay safe.
Make a rescue plan: Keep a mobile phone nearby, and call for help immediately if things go wrong.
Carry naloxone: Naloxone is a life saving medication that is used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It comes in two forms: a nasal spray, or an injection. Naloxone provides an opportunity to give more time when waiting for an ambulance to arrive when someone is experiencing an opioid overdose.
You can pick up a kit and receive training at one of our sites.