International Overdose Awareness Day
Opioids are a class of drug including heroin, fentanyl, morphine, and oxycodone. They are responsible for the majority of overdose deaths.
When someone overdoses on an opioid, they become unresponsive, go limp, and their breathing becomes shallow and labored. They might make snoring or gurgling sounds, and their lips and fingertips can turn blue or grey.
In most cases, an opioid overdose can be reversed with naloxone, which can be injected or inhaled.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held each year. Its purpose is to raise awareness of overdoses, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends.