OorSpace

31/08/2026

This International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the lives lost to overdose and acknowledge the lasting impact felt by families, friends and communities.

As we reflect on 25 years of awareness and action, we also recognise that stigma continues to prevent people from seeking help, speaking openly about their experiences, and accessing the support they need.

Every person lost to overdose was more than a statistic. They were someone who mattered, with people who loved them and a story worth remembering.

We believe everyone deserves dignity, compassion and access to support without fear of judgement. By challenging stigma and promoting understanding, we can help create a future where fewer lives are lost and more people find hope through recovery.

💜 Today, we remember. We challenge stigma. We support recovery.

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

Take time to remember x

🖤 Remembering those we’ve lost on International Overdose Awareness Day.

Today, we remember the people across Scotland, and internationally, who have lost their lives to drugs.

Behind every number is a person.
A friend. A parent. A child. A partner. A sibling. Someone who was loved, missed and mattered.

Drug-related deaths are not simply statistics. They are losses felt by families, friends, communities and the people who knew them.

And while we remember those we have lost, we also have to keep talking about how we can prevent more people passing, how we can keep people safe.

💜 Carry naloxone.

If you use opioids, spend time with people who do, are on a script, or want to prevent death in your community, carrying naloxone could save a life. Training is quick, Fife supplies are available, and if you see signs or symptoms you don’t need to be 100% sure they have taken an opioid before using naloxone to respond.

Know the signs:

• They may be unconscious or difficult to wake
• Their breathing may be slow, shallow, irregular or stopped
• They may make choking, snoring or gurgling sounds
• Their lips or fingertips may look blue or grey
• They may be completely unresponsive

Call 999. Give naloxone. Support their breathing. Stay with them.

But overdose risk in Scotland isn’t just about opioids.

Poly-substance use can make drug use much more unpredictable. Combining opioids with other depressants can increase the risk of respiratory depression, while stimulants such as co***ne carry their own serious risks, including cardiac and other medical emergencies.

We are also seeing an increasingly unpredictable and high-risk street drug supply. People may not always know exactly what they have taken, what it contains, or how strong it is. That is why we support drug testing. It is your right to know what you’re taking. Don’t just go off how it looks.

That uncertainty matters.

⚠️ Never assume a drug is what you have been told it is.
⚠️ Avoid using alone where possible.
⚠️ Start low and go slow.
⚠️ Carry naloxone and know how to use it.
⚠️ If someone is unwell or unresponsive, call 999.

Harm reduction is about keeping people safe and alive.

Today, we remember those who aren’t here.

Tomorrow, and every day, we keep doing everything we can to make sure more people are.

🖤 Remember. Reduce risk. Carry naloxone. Save a life.

30/08/2026

Take a minute.

24/08/2026

31st August is International Overdose Awareness Day.
Unfortunately oor space will be closed.
Please take a moment to remember those who are no longer with us.