International Overdose Awareness Day - NC Remembrance Event, Raleigh, NC.

04/15/2026

Jesse Bennett talking about Harm Reduction and doing a Narcan demonstration at the 1st annual IOAD NC Raleigh event. Jesse was a big part of our events! His love and presence will always be felt.

Jesse Bennett talks about harm reduction and gives Naloxone demo.

09/08/2025

We feel so blessed to have been joined by so many, especially over a holiday weekend, to bring awareness to the people in our lives that we've lost to overdoses. IOAD is a time where we process our grief while also finding joy in the relationships we've made throughout this amazing community. We feel incredibly honored to have the support of our amazing sponsors, and our keynote speaker, Sara Howe. And for those who weren't able to attend this year, we had the extra honor of presenting (well, surprising!) two Community impact Awards to Freida MacDonald with Know Hope🦋North Carolina and Claudia Marini with 's Miles. We're so grateful for everything you both do, as well as everyone else working in, and supporting, the recovery community.

If you didn't get a chance to sign our banner with your "Why", leave us a comment and tell us your "Why"!

08/31/2025

We would love to introduce our keynote speaker for our event, Sara Howe. Sara is the CEO of Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) and has been helping to transform lives in the behavioral health and substance use disorder community for over 20 years. We are incredibly lucky to have her joining us this weekend, and connecting with her passion for this community!

We have just a few hours left, we'll see you all at 300 N Salisbury St. at the Halifax Mall!!

08/30/2025

We would love to introduce our keynote speaker for our event, Sara Howe. Sara is the CEO of Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) and has been helping to transform lives in the behavioral health and substance use disorder community for over 20 years. We are incredibly lucky to have her joining us this weekend, and connecting with her passion for this community!

The big day is TOMORROW!!

08/29/2025

Our final sponsor we would love to highlight is the Alcohol Drug Council of North Carolina (ADCNC). ADCNC vision is to provide quality care for mental health and substance use challenges. They educate through hosting events like IOAD and their upcoming Black Poster Project in November at the McKimmon Center, they connect people to resources through their helpline, which includes option for text, email, and live chats, and they advocate tirelessly for those who face barriers to accessing treatment and recovery through fighting the stigma that comes with substance use disorders. We have an immense amount of gratitude for their passion for this community, and their support for this event.

To learn more about ADCNC, you can visit their website here:

We Connect. We Educate. We Advocate. At the Alcohol/ Drug Council of North Carolina, we help people overcome SUD and mental health disorders. We seek to eliminate stigma. We embrace all pathways to recovery and healing with dignity and respect for everyone.

08/29/2025

2 DAYS LEFT! Today, we would like to extend our since appreciation for our premier Level Sponsor, the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse. NCAPDA is a volunteer-based organization established to prevent prescription drug/opioid-related substance abuse disorders and overdose deaths through community education, policy change, and legislative action at the local, state and federal levels. NCAPDA partners with schools, colleges, community organizations and medical, law enforcement, and other agencies to increase awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse/misuse and to provide overdose rescue training and naloxone distribution. Thank you for all the hard work you do for this community, we couldn’t do this without you!
To learn more about NCAPDA, you can visit their website here:

NCAPDA works to prevent prescription drug related addiction and overdose deaths through community education, policy change and legislative advocacy.

08/29/2025

We would love to introduce our keynote speaker for our event, Sara Howe. Sara is the CEO of Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) and has been helping to transform lives in the behavioral health and substance use disorder community for over 20 years. We are incredibly lucky to have her joining us this weekend, and connecting with her passion for this community!

08/28/2025

Our final Supporting Level Sponsor is Maddie’s Miles. Maddie’s Miles is a 5k walk/run that was founded by Claudia Marini in memory of her daughter, Madison “Maddie” Marini, who lost her battle with addiction, and died from an accidental overdose at the age of 22. Maddie was passionate about animals, and the theme of this year’s walk/run is “Four Paws, Two Feet, One Cause”. In keeping with that theme, Ruff Love Rescue will be set up at the event AND they will be bringing adoptable dogs, and one of them might just be your new adventure buddy! Thank you for your continued support of this event!
To learn more about Maddie’s Miles and/or sign up for the 5k, you can visit their website here:

Maddie's Miles is on Saturday October 4, 2025.

08/28/2025

Our next Supporting Level Sponsor is North Carolina Treatment Connection. NC Treatment Connection knows that navigating substance use disorder treatment can be overwhelming, especially when deceptive marketing tactics and unethical practices prey on vulnerable individuals seeking help through their statewide awareness campaign to help individuals with substance use disorders find the treatments they need from reputable providers. They are an invaluable resource for our community, and we are thankful for their support!

To learn more about NC Treatment Connection, you can visit their website here:

The Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, along with its many partners, including the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, launched NC Treatment Connection - a statewide awareness campaign to help individuals with substance use disorders find the treatments they need from rep...

08/28/2025

Our next Supporting Level Sponsor is Morse Clinics. Morse Clinic was founded by Dr. Eric Morse, an Addiction Psychiatrist with specialized training in the use of Methadone and Buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction. Morse Clinic opened its first location in Clayton in March 2010 and expanded to Henderson, North Carolina, and in 2015. Their support helps us bring awareness and hope to the community, and for that we are immensely grateful!

To learn more about Morse Clinics, you can visit their website here:

Welcome to Morse Clinics and the first step of your recovery journey.  We believe that recovery is possible with the right support. Our team provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, helping individuals regain control of their lives. With convenient locations and a d...

08/28/2025

3 DAYS TO GO! We want to begin the day recognizing our first Supporting Level Sponsor, Know Hope North Carolina. Know Hope was started by Freida Knott MacDonald after the loss of her two sons, and has a mission to assist those suffering with grief and/or addiction. Know Hope and Freida have been long-time collaborators with IOAD, and we sincerely appreciate their continued support and participation in this event!

To learn more about Know Hope North Carolina, you can visit their website here:

Addiction, Grief and Recovery Support