Standing Together: Honoring Veterans on International Overdose Awareness Day
On August 31, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs joins the global community in observing International Overdose Awareness Day—a day to remember those we’ve lost to overdose, support those still fighting, and take action to protect our Veteran community from further harm.
The Overdose Crisis Among Veterans
For many Veterans, the battle doesn’t end when they return home. The invisible wounds of war—trauma, chronic pain, and mental health challenges—can lead to substance use and, tragically, overdose. The crisis affects not just individuals, but entire families, units, and communities.
It ripples through VA hospitals, support groups, and the neighborhoods where our Veterans live and work.
This day reminds us that no Veteran should be left behind.
Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution | Washington State Department of Health
- Find naloxone near you.
- Naloxone is covered by Medicaid in Washington State.
- Naloxone can be dispensed at pharmacies without a prescription.
A Community Built on Brotherhood, Compassion, and Action
Veterans know the meaning of loyalty, sacrifice, and looking out for one another. These values don’t fade with time—they strengthen our resolve to protect those who served. On this day, we ask: What if we extended that same sense of duty and compassion to every Veteran facing substance use challenges?
Let’s reimagine our Veteran community as a family bound not just by service, but by shared responsibility, empathy, and the power to heal together.
From Awareness to Action
This International Overdose Awareness Day, we do more than remember—we mobilize. We listen to the stories of Veterans who’ve struggled and survived. We honor those we’ve lost. We raise our voices to demand better access to care, stronger support systems, and real solutions.
Because no Veteran should carry this burden alone. Every story shared, every life honored, and every step taken brings us closer to a future where Veterans are safe, supported, and free from the threat of overdose.
How You Can Help
- -Wear purple to show your support for overdose awareness and prevention
- -Share a story—your own or someone else's—to break the silence and reduce stigma
- -Attend a local event or organize one in your community
- -Reach out to a Veteran who may be struggling
Together, we can turn remembrance into resilience. Let’s stand united this International Overdose Awareness Day—for our Veterans, for our families, and for a future free from overdose.
Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) - Sept. 9 -12th
More information: Campaign resources - International Overdose Awareness Day
