City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester Division of Public Health is inviting community leaders, youth and young adult organizations, senior organizations, community groups, and partners to attend this year’s Overdose Awareness Day event on Aug. 31.

This year’s outreach encourages organizations not only to attend, but to use their shared experience at the event for meaningful conversations about overdose prevention within their own communities.

“Overdose awareness is not only about what people learn at one event,” said Health Promotion & Community Strategist Irene Nyanub. “We want people to experience the day together, talk about what they saw and heard, and carry those conversations back into their families, organizations, and communities.”

Overdose can happen with prescription medications and illicit drugs. Taking medication incorrectly, mixing substances, or unknowingly consuming fentanyl can increase overdose risk. Increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and knowing how to respond can help save lives.

There is power in learning through experience. What we see, hear, discuss, and experience together is more likely to stay with us. Positive shared experiences can also make difficult topics easier to discuss, increase relatability, strengthen understanding, and support healthier, more informed decision-making. Organizations are therefore encouraged to bring their members, including youth, young adults, seniors, families, and other community members, to experience Overdose Awareness Day together.

For youth and young adults, attending alongside peers and trusted adults can create a natural starting point for conversations about overdose, substance use, prescription medication safety, fentanyl, prevention, and stigma.

The conversation does not have to end on Overdose Awareness Day. Participating organizations are encouraged to organize a follow-up overdose awareness discussion with their members after the event. Groups can select a date and time that works for them and contact WDPH. Support will be available to connect groups with prevention expertise and people with lived experience to help facilitate conversations that are informative, relevant, and meaningful.

WHAT: Overdose Awareness Day Event
WHO: Worcester Division of Public Health, community partners
WHEN: August 31 | 4 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: City Hall Plaza, 455 Main St.

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