International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) was initiated in 2001 by Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne. It has gone on to become the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remembering without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

Between January 2016 and December 2020 over 21,174 Canadians died due to substance use related harms. Tragically, these were all preventable deaths. While advocates continue to work tirelessly to save lives and change drug policies, the changes needed to end these deaths have yet to be realized.

Moms Stop The Harm members actively participate in organizing events each year throughout Canada.

Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH) kicks off Overdose Awareness Day with the Purple Ribbon Campaign of Awareness on August 1st. Awareness ribbons are symbols meant to show support or raise consciousness for a cause. Purple and silver are the International colors associated with Overdose Awareness. Our members will be making an impact across Canada by displaying creative designs of ribbons on trees, lamp posts, and lighting up city buildings in purple. We invite the public to join in as we remember all those we have loved and lost to the Overdose Crisis. You can post a photo of your purple ribbon display on our Facebook Group, Purple Ribbon For Overdose Awareness

We have also created a special IOAD FRAME that you can apply to your Facebook Profile beginning August 1 to commemorate Overdose Awareness Day. You can find the link here: www.facebook.com/profilepicframes/?selected_overlay_id=1167033343802802

MSTH members are also busy planning additional IOAD events in communities across Canada. These activities include memorials of remembrance, awareness and educational activities, public naloxone training, and activist activities such as rallies, protests and walks. The goal of these events is to raise awareness of overdose, which is one of our nations worst public health crises and stimulate action and discussion about evidence based overdose prevention and drug policy. It is an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones, to educate our communities regarding the challenges of substance use, to advocate for drug policy changes, and to send a strong message to current and former people who use drugs that they are valued.

Finally, please tune into our LIVE STREAM Facebook Candlelight Vigil taking place on Tuesday, August 31st at 6:30 pm PDT. This will be an evening of music and words of remembrance featuring guest speakers: Lisa Lapointe, BC Coroner and Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, BC Representative for Children & Youth, and Leslie McBain, Co-Founder of MSTH.

Moms Stop The Harm welcomes you to join in and support these events. If you would like further information regarding where these IOAD activities are taking place and how you can get involved, please email: info@momsstoptheharm.com