DAYTON, Ohio — Across the world, Aug. 31 is known as Overdose Awareness Day.

It’s a time when communities and cities come together to remember those who died from substance abuse, to help those who are still fighting addictions and to spread a message of hope and resiliency.

What You Need To Know

  • Public Health - Dayton and Montgomery County will host an Overdose Awareness Day event Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion

  • The event will feature games, activities, music, food trucks, but it will also serve as an education tool for helping to battle addiction

  • Officials say the top priority is reducing stigma and spreading awareness about treatment options and help

“I am very excited to see the county doing this,” said William Roberts II as he looked at fliers for the Overdose Awareness Day community event in downtown Dayton at the Levitt Pavilion.

Roberts is the senior manager of Recovery Services for Public Health - Dayton and Montgomery County.

“We’re able to help people with substance use disorder, gambling, and even if you don’t fit our services, we’ve got an outreach team that visits hospitals after overdose deaths,” he said.

Roberts was born and raised in Dayton. The city is home to some of his brightest and darkest days.

“I got caught up in addiction myself. I was part of the crack epidemic, but through recovery, I had a chance to turn my life around and got into the field 32 years ago,” Roberts said.

He’s worked for a lot of outreach agencies and climbed his way up the ladder.

Working in recovery services for Montgomery County for more than a decade, he said there’s a lot of misunderstandings about people who are struggling.

“Sometimes they do bad things, but they’re sick people who need help and that we have help, and they also need to know that we do recover,” he said.

The free event will have music, games and food trucks, but will also provide education about the signs of an overdose, treatment options and naloxone use.

“I was once homeless down here myself and so to stand here today in another capacity and leading an agency who helps others it kind of feels as if we’ve got an Underground Railroad that we’re helping people get free from addiction,” said Roberts.

Along with raising awareness, breaking stigma is a top goal for the night.

“You never know when addiction may come across your doorstep, either through yourself or through your family members, your friends, so we want to make sure everyone in the community knows what resources are available,” said Dan Suffoletto with Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County.

“We now want to smash the stigma that people don’t have to live in the shadow of their past. They can evolve and become members who give back to society. Taxpaying citizens who care about other people,” said Roberts.

The free event at Levitt Pavilion runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Headlining music performances start at 7 p.m.