What is National Naloxone Awareness Day?
Our national day will raise awareness of Naloxone and the vital role it plays in helping to fight the opioid epidemic in the U.S. Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone quickly restores normal breathing in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose.
How should National Naloxone Awareness Day be observed?
This day should be observed to further inform people about the importance of increasing awareness – and the availability – of Naloxone as a major part of the public health response to the opioid epidemic.
Why was National Naloxone Awareness Day created?
Establishing an official day dedicated to spreading awareness about Naloxone is especially important because much of the U.S is still unaware of how powerful a tool Naloxone can be in helping to prevent fatal overdoses.
Efforts are underway to make Naloxone more widely available and accessible in the U.S. In March 2023, in a historic action, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the over-the-counter sale of Naloxone, an important step to increase public access to the life-saving medication.
Victoria’s Voice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating drug addiction, is advocating for this national day. Founded by David and Jackie Siegel after their daughter, Victoria, 18, died of a drug overdose on June 6, 2015, Victoria’s Voice is on a mission to change policy, raise awareness and help ensure that Naloxone is more widely available.