Today marks second annual Overdose Awareness Day in Ohio

COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine announced Ohio will observe the state’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day today and begin recognition of September’s Recovery Month, according to a news release.

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This was established in 2021 by Senate Bill 30 with Ohio Overdose Awareness Day aiming to raise public awareness and remember the lives lost to the ongoing national opioid epidemic.

As part of this year’s observance, RecoverOhio announced the creation of Naloxone.Ohio.gov, a new resource that provides Ohioans with a simplified process for obtaining free naloxone, a life-saving drug used to reverse an opioid overdose, the release said.

“Overdoes impact us all,” Governor DeWine said. “We know that naloxone is a critical tool in Ohio’s fight against addiction and, ultimately, makes our communities safer.”

State flags displayed at all state buildings and public institutions will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, the release said.

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To help local communities promote Overdose Awareness Day, the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Department of Mental and Addiction Services have created an Ohio Overdoes Awareness Day Toolkit, which includes social graphics and posts to raise awareness, according to the release.

“Our Overdose Awareness Day toolkit features real Ohioans who have share their stories in order to help others know that recover is possible,” said RecoveryOhio Director, Aimee Shadwick. “They remind us on this day, and every day, to honor the memory of those we have lost and join in solidarity with those who are bravely working toward recovery.”

“Knowing how to respond in an emergency can save lives,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, ODH Director. “It is our goal that these resources be widely share in communities across Ohio.”

ODH coordinates Ohio naloxone distribution efforts through the Project DAWN initiative, the release said.

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