North Charleston hosted first Overdose Awareness Day Event at City Hall Saturday

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) marked a significant milestone on Saturday night by hosting its inaugural Overdose Awareness Day event at North Charleston City Hall.

The event saw strong participation from Mayor Reggie Burgess, members of the NCPD, the North Charleston Fire Department, The Charleston Center, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, and various other local organizations.

Attendees took part in creating luminaries to honor or memorialize loved ones affected by substance use. The event also provided an opportunity for participants to engage with organizations offering vital services and support for victims of substance abuse and their families. In a practical step toward harm reduction, attendees could build Narcan kits for personal use or to distribute within the community.

International Overdose Awareness Day, which originated in Melbourne in 2001 through the efforts of the Salvation Army, has grown substantially as awareness of the fentanyl and opioid overdose crisis has intensified. This annual observance now involves thousands of communities, organizations, and governmental bodies worldwide, aiming to raise awareness about Substance Use Disorder and overdose prevention.

This year, North Charleston joined the global movement with its dedicated event, embracing key principles of Overdose Awareness:

• Overdose can and must be prevented.
• Overdose prevention solutions exist and should be actively utilized.
• Criminalizing drug use has been ineffective; compassionate alternatives are essential.
• Only a community-wide effort can ultimately end overdose.

For those interested in participating in Narcan Kit building sessions or opioid use informational classes, Shelby Joffrion, Opioid Prevention Coordinator, is available for contact at [email protected].