Sunday, Aug. 31, marks International Overdose Awareness Day, and Missoula Public Health and other members of the Missoula Drug Safety Coalition have organized several opportunities for community members to learn and get involved. All the following events are free and open to the public:
- Monday, Aug. 25, 6 p.m.: International Overdose Awareness Day Proclamation issued at Missoula City Council Meeting.
- Wednesday, Aug. 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m.: Franklin to Fort Resiliency Festival at Franklin Park. Event will provide free Narcan, fentanyl test strips and education.
- Thursday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m.: Recovery Friendly Montana facilitates an Overdose Prevention and Response Training online via Zoom. Register online.
- Friday, Aug. 29, 12 to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 31, 3 to 10 p.m.: Join Students for Sensible Drug Policy at the Oval on University of Montana campus. Event will provide free Narcan, fentanyl test strips and education.
- Sunday, Aug. 31, 8:30 p.m.: International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil and lighting of Main Hall at the Oval on University of Montana campus.
- Tuesday, Sept. 16, 4 to 6 p.m.: Free Overdose Prevention and Response Training the Trainer at the University of Montana. Please register by emailing [email protected].
International Overdose Awareness Day is an annual campaign to end overdose and remember, without stigma, those who have died while acknowledging the grief of the family and friends left behind.
“Overdose Awareness Day is a time to come together as a community to honor the lives lost, reduce stigma and recognize that every overdose death is one too many,” said Leah Fitch-Brody, substance use disorder prevention coordinator at Missoula Public Health. “By expanding access to proven tools like Naloxone, treatment, and recovery support, we can save lives and build a stronger, healthier community.”
Since 2014, approximately 185 people have died from overdoses in Missoula County. Nationally, increased access to resources has helped decrease overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 80,391 people in the U.S. died of overdose in 2024, a 27% decrease from the previous year.
The health department’s Substance Use Disorder Prevention Program works to prevent substance use disorder and other potential harms related to substance use across Missoula County. Organizations like MPH and Open Aid Alliance provide free Narcan (or Naloxone), a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. In addition, United Way of Missoula maintains three harm reduction kiosks with Narcan, and fentanyl test strips are located at the Mountain Line Transfer Center, the Missoula Food Bank and the Hope Rescue Mission Drop In Center.