08/31/2026
💜 INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY | AUGUST 31
Behind every number is a person. A family. A friend. A story that mattered.
According to the CDC, drug overdose deaths in the United States have begun to decline after reaching devastating levels:
2020 — 91,799
2021 — 106,699
2022 — 107,941
2023 — 105,007
2024 — 79,384
2025 — an estimated 69,973*
For three consecutive years, overdose deaths have moved in the right direction. And while we are incredibly grateful to see that progress, nearly 70,000 lives lost in a single year is still nearly 70,000 too many.
At The JADFA House, we love the feel-good parts of what we do. We love hosting fun events, creating opportunities for connection, celebrating recovery and watching people find community.
But the reality of why we do what we do is because this is life or death.
These numbers aren't warm and fuzzy. They aren't the part of recovery work that feels good to talk about. But they are a reality we cannot ignore. Every number represents someone's child, parent, sibling, spouse, friend or loved one.
That is why we continue to raise awareness!
We talk about overdose because awareness can lead to education, connection, resources, recovery and, ultimately, lives saved. We want to see these numbers continue to fall. We want more people to make it home. We want more families to experience recovery instead of loss. And we want every person who is still struggling to know that your story doesn't have to end here.
There are so many wonderful organizations and people in our community already hosting events to recognize Overdose Awareness Day, and rather than host another event that competes with those efforts, we want to help amplify them.
💜 Are you hosting or attending an Overdose Awareness event in our community? Drop the information in the comments so others know where they can go to remember, connect, learn and find support.
Every life matters. Every story matters. And there is always hope.
*2025 is a provisional CDC estimate.
