International Overdose Awareness Day

media release: Safe Communities and the African American Opioid Coalition (AAOC) are excited to announce the return of their International Overdose Awareness Day event taking place on August 31, 2025, at Olbrich Park from 12-3 pm. By coming together at this free community event, we aim to break the stigma, share life-saving resources, and show that every life lost matters. This is a time to connect and to take action toward a safer, more compassionate community. 

“Every August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) brings a global community together to take action on overdose. Through events - both in person and online - communities honor lives lost, educate their families, friends, and peers, and explore evidence-based overdose prevention solutions.”

According to data from Public Health Madison & Dane County there were 144 deaths in Dane County due to drug overdose in 2023. While provisional data shows a decline from the 2021 peak, there is still more to be done to reduce overdose deaths, which are still the leading cause of death for those ages 18-54 in Dane County. 

Safe Communities and the African American Opioid Coalition are hosting this free community event dedicated to honoring lives lost to overdose and drug poisoning, supporting those who are grieving, and raising awareness about the impact of overdose in Dane County. The event will include a resource fair, free pizza and Kona Ice, mini Narcan trainings, and memorial sign making from 12-2 pm. A short program and memorial will offer space for reflection and remembrance beginning at 2 pm. This year, we’re focusing on giving the event back to those most impacted. Attendees will have the opportunity to share a few words about their loved ones during the program. To close the event, those who wish to participate are welcome to join a healing circle and water ceremony led by Be the Light Shamanic Healing, beginning at 3 PM. Our memorial sign display will also be visible along Atwood Avenue from August 22 through September 5 — a powerful tribute to those we’ve lost.

Safe Communities is a nonprofit, injury prevention coalition that serves all of Dane County. Safe Communities cares about the health, wellbeing and safety of all people in our community. By engaging a coalition of advocates, including those with lived experiences, we empathetically provide support and resources to vulnerable populations. We are saving lives together by confronting our community’s top safety concerns – Older Adult Falls, Traffic Crashes, Suicide & Drug Harm, through innovative programs. Learn more at safecommunities.org.

African American Opioid Coalition (AAOC) of Safe Communities is a coalition of Black leaders representing organizations with a role to play in preventing drug harm in Dane County’s Black community. AAOC goals are: to improve the overall wellness of Black families; to educate about the impacts of opioid addiction in the African American community; and to have a place at the table (not on the menu!) to inform policies and practices affecting Black families