August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day
A day set aside as a reminder of the pain and suffering drugs can inflict on families and communities. It is a time to remember those who lost their personal battle with substance use disorder and are no longer with us. A time to remember; a time to act.
Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month in September also serve as a time to overcome the stigma of asking for help. Always remember: It’s OK to not be OK. You’re not alone. We are here to help.
The City is working to save lives, improve access to help, and reverse the negative effects opioids have had on our communities. To support overdose prevention, the City is distributing the lifesaving drug Naloxone, an opioid overdose antidote.
If you suspect someone is struggling with addiction, Mental Health First Aid training can help.
Mental Health First Aid teaches you to recognize the signs and symptoms of substance and alcohol use disorder and how to respond using the MHFA Action Plan. Remember to have realistic expectations. Major behavior changes take time to achieve and often involve the person going through a number of stages. A conversation is the first step to opening the door to a road to recovery.
Mental Health First Aid training teaches how to have those conversations. Find out how to get trained for free.
Overdose Awareness
Addiction is such a stigmatized topic – yet people are so uninformed about it. Most of us were taught that “drugs are bad,” but that is about the most education we get or tend to remember.
Steps You Can Take to Prevent Overdose Deaths
It was 2002, and the first time overdose touched my life personally.
From Heroin to Hope
Steward, a 77-year-old Philadelphian, is a fixture in Rittenhouse Park. A stroll with him is never just a walk; it’s a social event.
