International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held annually in August that seeks to raise awareness about overdose, reduce the stigma of addiction and drug-related deaths, and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends when someone they love is fighting a battle with substance misuse.
Each year, Mercer Council – with its Prevention Coalition of Mercer County and a variety of community partners – come together to remember, support and honor those whose lives have been affected by overdose and addiction.
Mercer Council has been a pillar of prevention work in the Mercer County for over 45 years, seeking to support healthy, safe and responsible communities by creating pathways to reduce substance-related challenges, through education, advocacy, support and community partnership. As an initiative of Mercer Council, the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County seeks to bring all sectors of the community together to address substance use prevention and harm reduction through collaboration and action, and maintains this focus for International Overdose Awareness Day.
Brief History
International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in Melbourne, Australia in 2001. Since its inception, IOAD has grown into a global movement involving numerous countries, communities, and organizations dedicated to raising awareness about overdose and reducing stigma.
In Mercer County, the International Overdose Awareness Day event was pioneered by Justine Frank, a former Chairwoman of the PCMC Board. Her personal family connection to the struggles of addiction and overdose led her to bring this powerful event to our community. Since 2016, Mercer County IOAD has been hosted by various local municipalities, and recently settled into its home at Veterans Park North in Hamilton, NJ.
Our event aims to provide an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones, to raise awareness about overdose and addiction, and to push for greater measures to combat this crisis through prevention, treatment, and education. We seek to remind the community that people who experience overdose are much more than that event in their lives, and to reduce the stigma surrounding the struggle with addiction and impact of overdose.
Overall, IOAD aims to encourage prevention, remembrance, support, and honor for those whose lives have been affected by addiction and overdose.
At our International Overdose Awareness Day event, guests can expect a community gathering that features a formal program with local leaders, family members and folks in recovery sharing their experiences with changing the narrative of addiction. A memorial table will be present, where loved ones may bring photos or mementos to remember loved ones who have passed away. There are family-friendly activities for children, like rock painting with members of the Youth Coalition of Mercer County. The evening ends with a Candlelight Vigil, offering a time for remembrance as event leaders share brief stories of hope in the midst of loss.
International Overdose Awareness Day is an event filled with a strong mix of solemnity, remembrance, and hope. We are deeply grateful to see the support of the community as we rally together for this event year after year, and hope to continue to grow support throughout the Mercer County community.
How to Get Involved
Please join us as a guest, whether you’re coming alone or with a family. Your presence helps to amplify our message and supports the community of individuals and families that have been affected by overdose or substance use disorder in any way. Registration is simple, and attending the event is a powerful way to show your support for this community.
Individual Registration information coming soon!
We are deeply thankful for our community partners, who come together in support of IOAD every year and help make this event a success! If you would like to sign up to host a table for this event, please complete the partner registration form below. There is no cost to have a table, but we do ask that all tabling partners bring their own tables and chairs (and tents if desired). For more information on hosting a table at IOAD 2025, please email callen@mercercouncil.org.
Tabling registration information coming soon!
Volunteers are crucial to the success of any community event – and at IOAD, they are essential to ensure that the evening runs smoothly and effectively. From helping to set up and tear down our event area, to assisting vendors and guests throughout the event, there are many ways to contribute.
Information on volunteer opportunities coming soon! Stay tuned for more information on how you can support IOAD 2025.
Event Details (SAVE THE DATE!)
Date: Thursday, August 28th, 2025
Time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: Veterans Park North (Klockner Rd Entrance) – Hamilton, NJ
Join us for an evening of remembrance, support, and action, featuring:
- Guest Speakers
- Grief, Recovery, & Treatment Resources
- Memorial Display & Candlelight Vigil
- Law Enforcement & First Responders
More information coming soon!
