STIGMA: Today just so happens to be International Overdose Awareness Day, serving as a stark reminder of the harm that drugs inflict on our society — it is also a day to remember all those who have fallen victim to an overdose, as well as those who have struggled to pull themselves out of the darkness of addiction and back into society’s good graces.

Started by Sally J. Finn, of St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, the first International Overdose Awareness Day was commemorated 20 years ago at the Salvation Army. According to NationalToday.com, Finn created the day to highlight the consequences individuals face when someone close to them overdoses, resulting in either a critical state of health — or death. She also intended to reduce the apathy and stigma which society has towards overdose victims.

Many people are not aware of the factors behind an overdose, and active addiction, causing them to unfairly blame the victims, which families remain left to accept. This prejudice makes it hard for families and friends to overcome their grief. Such an attitude only works to vilify the negativities surrounding the topic — which results in the suppression of efforts to raise awareness.

Did you know that between 1968 and 2019 there had been approximately one million drug overdose deaths in the United States alone? Studies have shown that starting in 2005, drug overdoses drastically increased due to the ingestion of accidental high doses of prescribed medications — with the highest number of overdose deaths caused by a type of opioid called fentanyl.

The office colors to show support on this day are purple and grey. Today is the day to come out and stand in solidarity in order to reduce the stigma, hopefully resulting in fewer future overdose deaths.