August 31, 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), a global movement dedicated to honouring lives lost to overdose, supporting those affected, and challenging stigma. This year's theme, "25 Years. Still Needed.", recognizes the progress made while underscoring the ongoing need for awareness, prevention, and compassionate care.
The unregulated toxic drug supply continues to impact individuals, families, and communities across British Columbia. IOAD is an opportunity to remember those we have lost, raise awareness, reduce stigma, and strengthen connections to harm reduction and support services.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to reflect and remember the people and communities who have been impacted by the unregulated toxic drug supply and to recognize the unwavering teams that provide substance use care every day without judgement.
How You Can Participate
In the week leading up to August 31, several Island Health program areas will host a purple chair at their service location. The purple chair is a simple but powerful symbol that honours the missing space created when lives are lost to overdose and creates space for quiet reflection, remembrance and conversation.
Displayed in a visible area, the chairs can help spark meaningful dialogue, helping to reduce stigma and foster understanding of the ongoing impacts of the toxic drug supply and substance use-related harms in our communities. Purple ribbons and seed packets to plant a memorial garden for a lost loved one will accompany each purple chair, offering additional ways to honour loved ones and promote conversations about overdose prevention, safer substance use, and available supports.
If your service area is not hosting a purple chair but would still like to support International Overdose Awareness Day, you can request resource cards and purple ribbons to share with clients and staff. Available while supplies last.
Please send your requests to: harmreduction@islandhealth.ca.
Together, these small actions contribute to a broader culture of care and compassion.
Actions you can take
- Post a memory of somebody you care for on our IOAD memory wall
- Wear purple
- Add an IOAD virtual background
Supports for Island Health staff
- Care for Caregivers program
- Island Health Staff Wellness
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- KUU-US Crisis Line - 1-800-588-8717