CIRCLEVILLE – Each year Overdose awareness day is held on August 31 this global event is recognized to raise awareness that overdose death is preventable, this year this event comes to Pickaway county.
The event aims to reduce the stigma associated with drug-related death and provide support to families of overdose victims. It is also a day that acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends who have lost or had a permanent injury from a drug overdose.
The day is also full of hope and celebration of the thousands of people who have been saved from an overdose, and proving that lives can be saved and life is worth living.
It is also a time to act, a time to get information, to understand the signs of addiction, overdose, and what to do if you encounter someone that is overdosing.
Purple and silver are the colors adopted by IOAD. Specifically, silver is the awareness color for drug overdose, while purple is the awareness color for opioid addiction. There is an international campaign to turn buildings around the world purple on August 31.
Pickaway will be celebrating with friends in a first annual overdose awareness day on the date, 8/31. The event will happen in Pumpkin Show park in Circleville Ohio from 3 to 7 pm. Two people from Integrated services and PARS will be there along with resources and information. They ask for anyone interested in adding to those resources, inviting law enforcement, and people who would like to share their experiences.
“It’s our hope to start a conversation about overdose and the stigmas surrounding addiction. It’s impacted our community, and the fact is that we have all been affected either in our personal or professional lives. There is help and hope. Overdose can be prevented and we want to put life saving medication in the hands of our citizens to prevent any more loss in Circleville,” said the event organizers
The event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/977122429797228/?active_tab=discussion
