When a friend or family member passes away, the response is often food, hugs, shoulders to cry on, and ears to listen. When someone dies from a drug overdose, blame, shame, and guilt are often echoed in the faces and actions of others when the news is shared. Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember all of the loved ones our community has lost, while shedding the stigma that goes along with it. It’s a day to open your eyes and hearts because this is something that truly impacts us all in St. Louis. In fact, St. Louis overdose deaths account for 48% of all drug overdose deaths in Missouri. The St. Louis Metro Region accounted for 79% of all drug overdose deaths among Black individuals in Missouri in 2021. And, more people in the state of Missouri die from drug overdoses than car accidents. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, please reach out to PreventEd. #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay #IOAD2022