International Overdose Awareness Day 2025

Every year on August 31, global communities come together to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). This campaign is the world's largest annual movement to end overdose, remember those lost to an overdose, acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind and renew the commitment to end overdose and related harms across the world. This year’s theme, One Big Family: Driven by Hope, emphasizes unity, compassion and the power of collective action to end overdose.

In Ontario, overdose continues to be a serious public health concern and PHO continues to be committed to supporting evidence-based approaches to reduce substance-related harms. PHO supports community-led responses to overdose and substance-related harms by sharing evidence-informed resources, data, and tools. We recognize the vital role of people who use drugs – their lived experience, leadership, innovation and dedication are essential in shaping effective programs and services to address the overdose crisis.

Our updated Substance Use and Harms Tool provides detailed data on emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths related to opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines and alcohol. It also includes harm reduction indicators such as naloxone kit distribution.

Check some of our recent resources below:

• Understanding the factors associated with fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses
• Healthcare Utilization and Clinical Comorbidities among People Who Died of a Substance-Related Toxicity Death in Ontario
• Stats on the Streets: Understanding harms and the lives of people who use drugs
• SOS Guide: A Guide to Using Information Sharing Tools to Support Harm Reduction
• Opioid-related Deaths by Census Subdivision Data

Visit our dedicated webpages for all our substance use and opioids reports and resources.