Together we can reduce harm and save lives this International Overdose Awareness Day

To help reduce drug harm and deaths in the community, the HSE National Ambulance Services (NAS) and local Community First Responder volunteers are hosting CPR and intranasal naloxone demonstrations this Saturday – International Overdose Awareness Day 2024.

Naloxone is a medication used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid drugs (for example; heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and nitazenes). If someone experiences an overdose, naloxone can help to keep a person alive until an ambulance arrives. In 2023, naloxone was administered on 461 occasions.

On behalf of the HSE National Social Inclusion Office, HSE NAS will coordinate these events where the public will be trained in the lifesaving skill of recognising and responding to an opioid overdose, administering CPR and how to use intranasal naloxone. Demonstration locations are:

• Drogheda: 10am - 4pm at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre
• Dublin: 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm at Donaghmeade Shopping Centre
• Dublin: 10am - 6pm at Jervis Shopping Centre
• Dublin: 11am - 3pm at The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght
• Carlow: 2pm-5pm at Fairview Shopping Centre
• Cork: 12pm - 4pm on Patrick Street, Cork City

International Overdose Awareness Day is a time for communities throughout Ireland to remember those who have died as a result of drug overdose and to raise awareness of preventative measures. The campaign #TogetherWeCan raises awareness of the issue of overdose and promotes action and discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention.

Speaking ahead of this International Overdose Awareness Day, Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Lead, Addiction Services, said: 
“Each year International Overdose Awareness Day provides us with a dedicated day to remember each person who has lost their life through a drug overdose and acknowledge the grief of family and friends. It is a time to remember and a time to act.”

Colm Burke, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, said: 
“I want to acknowledge the grief felt by families and communities. These tragic deaths could have been prevented. Getting more people with problematic drug use into treatment is a key step in reducing the risk of drug overdose. 

“It is very encouraging to see that the additional investment under the national drug strategy over the past few years is expanding access to and availability of treatment for those who are seeking help with addiction issues. In 2023, there were 13,104 treatment episodes, a 50% increase from 2017. As a society, we must do more to reduce the risk of drug overdoses so it is vital that we work together to improve the health and social outcomes for people who experience harm from drug use and to meet their recovery and rehabilitation needs.”

As part of this annual campaign, the HSE National Social Inclusion is also inviting the public to join a free lunchtime webinar on Friday (30 August, 12pm to 1pm) to help end overdose, remember those who have died without stigma and acknowledge the grief experienced by family and friends left behind.

The theme for the 2024 event is Together We Can. It is also an opportunity for experts, support services and peers to share information about the work being done to reduce overdoses within our communities.

#TogetherWeCan reduces fatal overdoses by services and peers supporting people who use drugs with the development of individual overdose safety and rescue plans.

Social media is encouraged to use the #EndOverdoseIRL #IOAD2024 #TogetherWeCan and follow and tag @drugsdotie, @HSELive and @HSE_SI.