25 years on. Still needed. Pharmacy 777 proudly supports International Overdose Awareness Day.
We must never forget that behind every statistic is a person - someone loved and valued. A cherished part of a family, or a friend that can never be replaced.
And behind every overdose loss is a ripple felt through communities.
This year’s International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) theme is ‘25 years on. Still needed’ reflects a shared global truth - overdose continues to affect people from every walk of life, and far too many Australians are still losing their lives to overdose.
The anniversary is a reminder of how far the conversation has come, and how much more needs to be done. The Penington Institute has just released its Australia’s Annual Overdose Report 2026 - Opens in new tab and highlighted that overdose is now one of the leading causes of death for Australians.
The report confirms 2,596 drug-induced deaths were recorded across Australia in 2024, including 2,091 unintentional drug-induced deaths. Together, these deaths represent 76,887 years of life lost, an average of 31 years for every life lost.
This ranks overdose alongside suicide, heart disease and road deaths, while Australians in their 50s record the highest number of fatalities.
International Overdose Awareness Day brings people together to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to save lives.
On IOAD’s 25th anniversary, Pharmacy 777 will join frontline health and community services across Australia to help more people learn about naloxone and how it can save a life from opioid overdose.
Penington Institute CEO, John Ryan - Opens in new tab OAM said the findings showed overdose should be treated as a major public health issue across the adult population.
“We tend to think of overdose as something that happens to other people, or to a particular group of people. The data tells us otherwise,” Mr Ryan - Opens in new tab said.
“For Australians in their 20s, 30s and 40s, overdose is now a leading cause of death. And the highest number of deaths is occurring among people aged 50 to 59.
These are not marginal numbers. They represent thousands of lives and tens of thousands of years of life lost.”
Community pharmacists can provide education on reducing medication related harm and preventative measures including the Take Home Naloxone Program.
“Naloxone is one of the most significant and potentially life-saving services a pharmacist can provide,” explains Pharmacy 777 Pharmacy Development Manager, Kristian Ray - Opens in new tab.
“The entire Pharmacy 777 Australian network supports patients to understand the importance of naloxone as overdose can happen to anyone.
Having naloxone available and knowing how to use it can give someone the time they need to survive an overdose and receive emergency medical care.”
“Community pharmacy is a safe space to have these conversations and ensure awareness of this important initiative to reduce risk, saving lives in the process.”
International Overdose Awareness Day is an initiative of Penington Institute (penington.org.au - Opens in new tab). For more information, visit overdoseday.com or email info@overdoseday.com.
