26 August 2025
On 31st August, the Borders will join communities worldwide to mark International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). This year’s theme, “One big family, driven by hope”, highlights the deep connections between us and the shared responsibility to prevent overdose deaths.
Overdose affects more than individuals - it ripples through families, schools, workplaces and communities. But in grief, we find unity. IOAD invites us to imagine a broader definition of family - one built on compassion, shared experience and collective action.
Buildings across the Borders will be lit in purple, including TD1 Youth Hub and We Are With You Galashiels, to honour lives lost and show solidarity. We Are With You and Borders In Recovery will also have an information stand at the Transport Interchange in Galashiels from 10:30am – 12:30pm on Friday 29 August.
Dr Sohail Bhatti, Director of Public Health and Chair of the Borders Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, said: “By coming together, we honour those we’ve lost and strengthen our commitment to ending overdose in our community. We remain committed to taking action to reduce drugs deaths in our region - both by educating people and by implementing measures to reduce the rate of overdose.”
Naloxone saves lives. It’s a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, giving time for emergency help to arrive. The drug supply is changing. Synthetic opioids like nitazenes are being found in other drugs such as benzodiazepines and cocaine. This means that even people who don’t use opioids directly may still be at risk of overdose.
Naloxone kits are available to anyone at risk, including people who use drugs, their families and carers aged 16 and over. To find out how to access naloxone locally and complete free online training click here.
You are encouraged to show your support by wearing purple and attending one of the local events.
For more information on NHS Borders and We Are With You Addiction Service drop-in clinics click here.
If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drug use, support information is available here.
Support for family members is available here.