Overdose Awareness Day

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has officially proclaimed August 31, 2025, as International Overdose Awareness Day, joining a global effort to raise awareness about drug overdoses, reduce stigma, and remember those lost to substance use. During a recent board meeting, commissioners and public health officials highlighted the ongoing impact of overdose deaths in the community and across the nation. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 105,000 people died from overdoses nationwide in 2023, with 1,480 Oregonians losing their lives to drug-related overdoses between 2023 and 2024.

Commissioner Chuck read the proclamation, emphasizing that “addiction is a health condition, not a choice,” and called for compassion and support for those affected. The proclamation also noted a 22% decrease in overdose deaths in Oregon from 2023 to 2024, attributed in part to expanded naloxone distribution and prevention programs.

Jessie Noble, the county’s regional prevention drug overdose coordinator, shared details about Lincoln County’s newly finalized overdose response plan. “It is a tiered plan that allows for specific response given the nature of the overdose events,” Noble explained. The plan uses real-time data from urgent care centers, emergency rooms, and harm reduction teams to monitor trends and issue alerts to community partners when necessary.

Noble also stressed the importance of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, and encouraged residents to carry it. “There is no harm in administering naloxone if you suspect an overdose,” she said, noting that the medication is available at harm reduction sites and the Newport Public Library. The county’s harm reduction efforts extend to schools, with annual fentanyl awareness campaigns and naloxone training for educators and staff. “We’ve provided naloxone for our public schools, including on buses and in health centers,” Noble said.

The commissioners urged the community to support harm reduction services, learn to recognize and respond to overdoses, and stand with those in recovery. “Our shared effort to end drug overdoses in Lincoln County continues,” the proclamation concluded. International Overdose Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the lives lost and the ongoing need for education, prevention, and compassionate care. For more information on local resources or to obtain naloxone, residents are encouraged to contact Lincoln County Public Health or visit the Newport Public Library.