Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) and Boulder County Community Services (BCCS) are asking Boulder County residents to stand in solidarity on this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), Wednesday, Aug. 31 and publicly honoring loved ones who have died from an overdose.

IOAD is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdoses and provides an opportunity to remember, stigma-free, those who have died from an overdose. The day also provides an important occasion to acknowledge the grief and loss of the family and friends who have been left behind.

BCPH and the Substance Use Advisory Group (SUAG) is hosting events in Nederland and Longmont to provide community members with the education and awareness needed to provide support for others and keep themselves safe. Participants will meet and talk with community partners dedicated to addressing and preventing overdoses in Boulder County.

Free Narcan/Naloxone (overdose reversal medication) and training on how to use it will be available at both events, as well as fentanyl information and free test strips, peer support and a memorial table.

Longmont

Friday, Aug. 25

Unity in the Community (free)

4th Ave. & Kimbark St.

4:00-9:00 p.m.

Nederland

Saturday, Aug. 26

NedFest Family Reunion (ticket required)

The Caribou Room, Nederland

1:00-8:00 p.m.

More information on how to recognize the signs of an overdose and administer Narcan/Naloxone is available from the BCPH Works Program, which is a free, legal and anonymous harm reduction program for people who use drugs and their friends and family in Boulder County. More information on harm reduction is available at www.boco.org/works or by calling the Works Program at 720-864-6515.

The Boulder County SUAG is a group of individuals and organizations dedicated to responding to the opioid epidemic and other substance abuse. Visit www.boco.org/suag or SUAG@bouldercounty.gov for more information.

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