International Overdose Awareness Day 2026; 25 Years On. Still Needed.
We remember the people whose lives have been lost to overdose, and stand with their families, friends and communities.
Overdose is preventable. We know what saves lives: naloxone in the hands of communities, accessible harm reduction services, timely information about changing drug markets, and responses led by people who use drugs and those closest to the risks.
Across Southeast Asia, AHRA continues to support community-led approaches to overdose prevention including strengthening drug early warning systems so that emerging risks can be identified, shared and acted upon faster.
But technical solutions alone are not enough. Stigma, criminalization and barriers to health services continue to place people at unnecessary risk. Effective overdose prevention requires policies based on evidence, dignity and human rights, with communities at the center.
- Every overdose death is tragedy and one too many. Every life saved matters.
- We remember.
- We act.
And we continue working toward a future in which International Overdose Awareness Day is no longer needed.
#IOAD2026 #OverdoseAwareness #EndOverdose #HarmReduction #Naloxone #DrugEarlyWarning #DEWS #CommunityLed #HumanRights #SoutheastAsia #AHRA
