Published: August 31, 2021
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember loved ones lost to overdose and to focus on reducing substance use stigma in our communities.
On International Overdose Awareness Day, we highlight the importance of addressing all forms of stigma and discrimination that impact people who use substances and emphasize the importance of a public health and human rights approach to substance use.
A public health approach recognizes the need for a continuum of evidence-based, trauma- and violence-informed approaches, strategies, programs, and services that respect the dignity of people who use substances, reduce stigma, and do not cause harm. Such an approach includes access to a full range of harm reduction, treatment and recovery-oriented care options that meet people where they are at, including safe supply, drug checking, safe consumption sites, pharmacological approaches, accessible mental health and substance use treatment services and housing.
Overdose deaths are preventable. Reducing stigma, ensuring access to a range of harm reduction and treatment services and respecting the rights and expertise of people with lived and living experience are essential to implementing a public health approach to substance use in Canada.
Further information on International Overdose Awareness Day
To find a vigil, march or virtual event, please consult the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition’s list of International Overdose Awareness Day events in Canada, or visit overdoseday.com for more information.
Key resources
The following resources highlight the expertise of people with lived and living experience, outline a public health and human rights approach to substance use, share best practices in stigma reduction and describe key services and supports such as safe supply, safe consumption sites and the use of naloxone.
Decriminalizing People Who Use Drugs: Making the Ask, Minimizing the Harms
HIV Legal Network 
carrynaloxONe Demonstration & Toolkit
Ontario Harm Reduction Network
Safe Supply: Concept Document
Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs 
A Public Health Guide to Developing a Community Overdose Response Plan
Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
It's Our Lives: People With Lived Experience Identify Priorities for Ending Harm Related to Substance Use
British Columbia Centre on Substance Use
Having a Voice and Saving Lives (Webinar)
Canadian Public Health Association 
Evidence Brief: Supervised Consumption Sites are Necessary Public Health Services
Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
A Primer to Reduce Substance Use Stigma in the Canadian Health System
Public Health Agency of Canada
This is not an exhaustive list of resources or information relevant to preventing overdoses and promoting a public health approach to substance use. Please consult Find a Resource or Browse by Topic for more information. We also encourage you to consult your local harm reduction services and public health unit for additional information on preventing overdose deaths in your community.
About SURE
The Canadian Substance Use Resource and Knowledge Exchange Centre (SURE) was created by the Canadian Public Health Association to support the implementation of a public health approach to substance use in Canada.
