OHIO — State flags across Ohio, displayed at all state buildings and public institutions, are flying at half staff in honor of Ohio Overdose Awareness Day.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced that on Aug. 31, the state will observe its second annual Overdose Awareness Day and begin recognition of September's Recovery Month. The day was established in 2021 by Senate Bill 30, and aims to raise public awareness and to remember the lives lost to the opioid epidemic across the nation.

What You Need To Know

  • State flags across Ohio, displayed at all state buildings and public institutions, are flying at half staff in honor of Ohio Overdose Awareness Day

  • Aug. 31 is recognized internationally as Overdose Awareness Day, and in Ohio this year RecoveryOhio is launching a new website to provide Ohioans with a simplified process to get naloxone

  • Ohio residents can visit Naloxone.Ohio.gov to get the medicine

  • Franklin County has multiple events today to raise awareness and offer fentanyl test strips, naloxone and Narcan to residents

Aug. 31 is recognized internationally as Overdose Awareness Day, and in Ohio this year RecoveryOhio is launching a new website to provide Ohioans with a simplified process to access naloxone, a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, 2020 surpassed 2017 as the highest year for unintentional drug overdose deaths in Ohio, with 5,017 deaths. This was a 3% increase over 2017 and a 25% increase over 2019. 

Ohio residents can visit Naloxone.Ohio.gov where they can click whether they are a first responder seeking naloxone for their agency, an organization that distributes naloxone for free or an individual seeking naloxone for themselves or others for free. 

After selecting the designation, the website asks how to send or pick up the naloxone, either by mail or via local distribution sites across the state. Residents can search by county and filter the specific locations. 

“Overdoses impact us all,” said DeWine in a news release. “We know that naloxone is a critical tool in Ohio’s fight against addiction and, ultimately, makes our communities safer. I encourage Ohioans to use Naloxone.Ohio.gov and carry naloxone.”

RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services created an online toolkit for local communities. 

“Our Overdose Awareness Day toolkit features real Ohioans who have shared their stories in order to help others know that recovery is possible,” said RecoveryOhio Director Aimee Shadwick in a news release. “They remind us on this day, and every day, to honor the memory of those we have lost and join in solidarity with those who are bravely working toward recovery.”

The agencies said the toolkit also aims to educate Ohioans on how to respond in an overdose situation and how to get help for someone struggling with addiction.

“We can help prevent overdose deaths by being aware of the signs, knowing how to respond, removing stigma, and ensuring help is visible and accessible for every Ohioan in need,” said OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss in the release.

In Franklin County, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, Safe Point, SOAR, Netcare Access and Community Medical Services will host an International Overdose Awareness Day event to raise awareness within the community.

The event begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 2 p.m. at The Vandereli Room, 218 McDowell St. 43215. 

Items for attendees include fentanyl test strips, naloxone and resources on treatment and support groups. 

The Columbus and Franklin County Addiction Plan is also recognizing the awareness day by holding several pop up Narcan locations throughout Columbus.

Pop locations will offer free fentanyl test strips and naloxone at:

  • Franklin County Court Complex, 375 S. High St. — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Southeast Healthcare, 16 W. Long St. — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Mt. Vernon Plaza, 1035 Atcheson St. — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Stonewall Columbus, 1160 N. High St. — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Safe Point, 1267 W. Broad St. — 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Westgate Park, 455 S. Westgate Ave. — 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

A memorial service will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Avenue, where more than 6,000 pinwheels are on display in the front lawn to recognize the impact of overdoses.

There are 5,703 purple pinwheels representing non-fatal overdoses among Franklin County residents and 788 white pinwheels representing fatal overdoses among Franklin County residents in 2021.

Dr. Beth Weinstock with Birdie’s Light, who lost her son to an overdose, and Brenda Stewart with The Addict’s Parents United will speak, beginning at 5 p.m. Free Narcan and fentanyl test strips will be available.