International Overdose Awareness Day was commemorated on Sunday 31 August. In 2024, Victoria recorded its highest overdose toll in a decade. Deaths from overdose in Australia are almost double the road toll, yet not enough is being done by government to address this. Windana’s harm reduction policy position statement calls for increased funding for harm reduction measures that we know work – more safe injecting facilities, expansion of naloxone availability, more pharmacotherapy providers, and increased funding to the alcohol and other drug sector to reduce waitlists – in order to prevent more lives being lost to overdose.

This year, to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day, our teams have been out and about in the community spreading awareness and education, as well as helping support those who have lost loved ones to overdose.

Our teams in Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, along with some of our clients, continued their annual tradition of hosting a booth at the local shopping centre, where they shared information, education and resources focused on preventing overdose. Our people chatted to passers-by about naloxone, harm reduction strategies and the need to destigmatise AOD use. They also provided an opportunity to those who had lost people to overdose to share their memories and messages.

Our SECADA team joined their Monash Health colleagues and workers from other local agencies for an awareness walk to Dandenong Memorial Hall, raising awareness and challenging stigma around AOD use and overdose. At the Hall, participants were encouraged to write tributes to those they’d lost, and took part in an afternoon tea and a talk focused on overdose prevention and the need for action.

At Grampians, our team collaborated with Uniting Ballarat and Ballarat Community Health on a presentation, brunch and forum, spreading messages of awareness, resilience and hope for change. On Sunday, a moving in-house reflection was held for all staff and residents to remember those lost to overdose.

The youth outreach team, meanwhile, have had a busy fortnight presenting at schools throughout our area, raising awareness of overdose harm reduction, including educating about the importance of naloxone/nyxoid and where people can access it.

Overdose is preventable. Every story shared, every voice raised and every step we take brings us closer to a future free from overdose.