This blog will discuss the International Overdose Awareness Day, which is observed on August 31.

What Is The International Overdose Day?

Every year on August 31, the international community gets together on a single platform to observe the prevalent issue of Drug Overdose.

What Is The Purpose of Observing The Overdose Awareness Day?

The purpose of observing Overdose Awareness Day is to highlight the issue of overdoses that take place around the world. Suppose the international community gets together to de-stigmatize the case of drug-related deaths. In that case, it could help many people to prevent this from happening to any of their family members.

“Addiction has the power to destroy, but don’t let that happen ever.”

When Was The First Overdose Awareness Day First Observed?

The first Overdose awareness day was observed on August 31, 2001. An Australian named SJ Finn was an old army veteran. He used to manage a needle and syringe program at the Salvation Army Crisis center in Victoria. Finn promulgated the notion of Drug Overdose in the “Hand and Syringe” program. His emphasis on the subject led to national attraction. Eventually, the US government got involved, and August 31 was chosen as the day for raising awareness about Drug overdosage so that it could be prevented in the future. Since 2012, it has been run by the Penington Institute, giving it much international recognition.

Importance of International Overdose Awareness Day

“Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that we must not let our happiness go for a toss with a drug overdose.”

Every Overdose Awareness Day is substantial because it makes a difference since every individual who dies from an Overdose of drugs is somebody’s kid, kin, parent, auntie, cousin, or companion. They all had gifts they might have imparted to the world, assuming we esteemed them more.

Many individuals additionally don’t understand that drug overdose deaths are avoidable. Hence, if this is observed, it draws notice to drug overdose and reminds individuals how they might forestall these superfluous passings.

Experts claim that the accessibility of naloxone packs and support of those encountering addiction to seek treatment are fundamental early advances.

Most specialists, including individuals who use drugs, concur that the United States keeps applying policing to a general medical problem. Policymakers center their energies – and citizens’ dollars – on keeping individuals from getting high instead of diminishing damage. Many praise a few substances and condemn others given bigotry and bias against workers, not due to logical information.

The awareness day also highlights a crucial notion. And that is, Regulations and mentalities are the most significant risk. The problem is plain and straightforward; How might a public health crisis, such as Drug overdose, end if each lifesaving asset is condemned, derided, and confined?”

Until drug use is decriminalized, correctional facilities, jails, probation, and parole should act as an entry for proof-based treatment.

“It is very important for us to make our generations aware of overdose to prevent them..”

How To Observe The Drug Overdose Awareness Day?

If you consider yourself a responsible and sympathetic member of the international community, you must give the attention that this day demands from us.

Here are some of the few things that you can do to observe Drug overdose awareness day;

• Inspire your employees to take part in IOAD commemoration activities.

• Keep a candle-lit vigil.

• Create a program of education like one that is focused on preventing the use of opioids in conjunction with an organization in your area.

• Offer a safe and secure space to tell the stories of Overdose victims.

• Give a large canvas and washable paint to allow survivors to leave a footprint in honor of their beloved ones.

• Wear shoes or hats that are empty to symbolize the number of people who have died in the community

• Include the name of loved ones who passed away from an overdose of opioids on the Honoring the Lost Loved Ones map

• Buy or design wristbands, pins, purple wristbands, or other items, and wear them on August 31. This will showcase the overdose awareness color.

• Study federal and state laws that prevent overdoses with opioids, and send a letter to your representative.

• Help support NSC initiatives to stop this epidemic of opioids by donating to honor a beloved one.

Understanding Drug Overdose

A drug overdose occurs when you take excessive amounts of a drug, whether prescription or over-the-counter, legal or illicit. Overdoses of drugs can be unintentional or even deliberate. You’ve probably overdosed if you’ve taken more than the amount recommended for an ingredient or sufficient to cause harm to the body’s functions.

A drug overdose could cause serious medical issues, leading to death. The substance determines the severity of an overdose, the dosage is taken, and the medical and physical background of the person who overdosed.

Risk Factors

A variety of factors increase the likelihood of an overdose. They include:

Incorrect drug storage: Improperly stored drugs could be easy targets for naturally curious children who often put things into their mouths. It is easy for children to fall into and accidentally overdose on substances that aren’t appropriately sealed and secured in a safe place away from the children.

Inadequately following dosage guidelines: Even adults can overdose when taking medication if they do not adhere to the dosage instructions. Doing too much of your dosage more quickly than you are instructed can cause an overdose of an ingredient that is healthy for you.

History of abuse of addiction or misuse: Intentionally misusing prescription or illegal drugs could expose you to an overdose of a drug, especially in the case of frequent use or if you are addicted. The risk increases when you take more than one drug, mix several substances or combine these drugs with alcohol.

The history of disorders that affect the mind: Disorders of the mind can be risk factors for a drug overdose. Depression and suicidal ideas can be triggers for overdoses. This is particularly true when these signs are not being addressed.

Symptoms

The signs of an overdose can vary based on the individual, the dose, and the substance. But, the most common symptoms are:

• nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness
• loss of consciousness
• Trouble breathing
• problems walking
• Affliction
• violence or aggression
• The pupils have been enlarged
• The shaking
• convulsions
• hallucinations, delusions, or hallucinations

It is essential to seek medical attention immediately if you notice these symptoms or see them in another person and suspect that they have taken an overdose. The best method of determining whether these signs indicate an overdose is to know if you’ve had drug use or observed somebody else taking the drugs. In an emergency, seeking medical attention quickly could significantly improve the effectiveness of the drug treatment for Overdose.

Treatment

Treatment for a substance overdose depends on the specific situation. Knowing the amount of drug consumed is very beneficial during treatment. However, it isn’t always readily available. Strategies for general treatment that health professionals may employ may include:

• Clearing the airway or inserting an airway tube if breathing is a problem
• by introducing activated charcoal. It is absorbed by the digestive tract to help absorb the medication.
• By causing vomiting to eliminate the substance from the stomach.
• The stomach is pumped to eradicate the importance of the stomach.
• Administering intravenous fluids to accelerate the body’s elimination of the substance.

A healthcare professional could be able to use an antidote to treat certain overdoses of drugs. For instance, the medication Naloxone can be used to help stop the effects of an overdose of heroin.

Preventing Drug Overdose

“Overdose of anything is bad, it can kill you and harm your loved ones. Say no to drug overdose!!”

A variety of methods can avoid overdoses from drugs. The most effective strategies eliminate the chance of accidental overdoses or triggers for an intentional overdose, to begin with.

If you have kids in the home, ensure that all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines remain away from children’s reach.

If you take prescription drugs, make sure you use them only under your physician’s directions. Don’t mix any medication without consulting your doctor to determine whether it’s safe. Also, it would help if you didn’t mix prescription and alcohol without consulting your physician first.

If you are addicted to substances, quitting is the most effective way to avoid the risk of a fatal overdose. Be aware that specific drug use methods are riskier than other methods. The inhalation or injection of drugs could reach your brain faster and increase the chance of taking a dose that could harm your health. Talk with your physician if you’re struggling and feel stuck. There are a variety of programs that can assist you.

Talk to your physician immediately if you are suffering from suicidal or depressed thoughts. Your doctor will be able to help you receive the mental health treatment you need.

Wrapping Up

“Let us create this world a better place to live by saving people from a drug overdose.”

In this blog, we tried to discuss drug overdose awareness.

To resolve such issues in our society, the aim should be to highlight and then get together on a single platform that enables people to observe this social issue and then concoct solutions to prevent this menace.