Wish Recovery’s Blog Monthly Archives

Every August 31st, a purple ribbon reappears. Pinned to a jacket, taped inside a car visor, printed on a porch flag. Most years you barely notice it.

This year, on the 25th International Overdose Awareness Day, often shortened to IOAD, it's worth a longer look. Twenty-five years is a long time to keep saying the same thing: overdose is preventable, and it's still happening in your neighborhood, your family, maybe your own house. This day exists to raise awareness and support overdose prevention, but it only works if the ribbon leads somewhere.

Key takeaways

• International Overdose Awareness Day 2026 falls on August 31 and marks 25 years under the theme "25 Years On. Still Needed."
• Recognizing an opioid overdose is a learnable skill, not an instinct, and most bystanders never get the chance to practice it.
• Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes, but it always pairs with calling 911, never replaces it.
• California's Good Samaritan law protects people who call 911 in good faith during an overdose, even though many still fear arrest.

You don't need to wait for a crisis to learn what comes next. Start my conversation with Wish Recovery today, no pressure attached.