Accidental or intentional, August 31st is a day to remember all of our family members, friends, colleagues, and others whose lives were cut short as a result of an overdose.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) reports:

“The United States is in the midst of a drug overdose epidemic. More people died from drug overdoses in 2014 than in any other year on record.

Deaths from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages.

More than three out of five drug overdose deaths involve an opioid. Overdose deaths from opioids, including prescription opioids and heroin, have nearly quadrupled since 1999.

Overdoses involving opioids killed more than 28,000 people in 2014. Over half of those deaths were from prescription opioids.

During 2014, a total of 47,055 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, representing a 1-year increase of 6.5 per cent, from 13.8 per 100,000 persons in 2013 to 14.7 per 100,000 persons in 2014.”

The struggles are indeed very real so please take some time to remember that this day is devoted to emphasizing the seriousness of the problem, helping to destigmatize the disease of addiction, and encouraging people to seek help in their struggle with addiction.