Brighton & Hove unites for International Overdose Awareness Day 2025

The city is coming together for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on 31 August to remember loved ones lost to overdose and raise awareness of harm reduction interventions that can save lives.

Organised by the council’s Public Health Team and its recovery partners Change Grow Live (CGL) and Cascade Creative Recovery, this year’s event will include musical performances, a memorial and, in a symbolic gesture of solidarity, Brighton Palace Pier will be illuminated in purple, reflecting the international campaign’s colour.

Lauren Dowse, Creative Director of the IOAD performance said: “The problems that drugs and alcohol bring to communities are multidimensional, which will be reflected in our performance for International Overdose Awareness Day. 

"To capture attention and raise awareness about overdose and recovery, the performance will incorporate brightly coloured flowers, lively gestures, and resonant drums, drawing inspiration from tribal communities that support individuals to persevere through life’s challenges.”

Get involved

A memorial service led by the CEO of Cascade Creative Recovery is takign place at 1pm in the Brighthelm garden on Queen's Road with performances from Cascade’s choir and percussion orchestra, speeches from family members, workers and the recovery community, and poems performed by Cascade writers and performers.

Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health & Adult Social Care, said: “As a city, we will stand with our sisters and our brothers across the globe in marking International Overdose Awareness Day.  

"This is a day to remember all those we have lost to overdose, to join together as one big family, to acknowledge the grief of friends and families, and to raise awareness of prevention and intervention strategies.

“We are driven by hope. Overdose is preventable. We want to raise awareness of the tools and the support that is available locally - from Naloxone kits, to our city’s brilliant recovery services – and at the same time challenging and bringing an end to the stigma that still surrounds substance use.”

Reducing stigma

Brighton & Hove’s new Drug & Alcohol Strategy 2024 – 2030  sets out a commitment to dignity, compassion, and evidence-based action. The city continues to experience rates of drug-related deaths and harmful alcohol use above the national average making these efforts more vital than ever.

According to Health Counts 2024, 20% of adults in Brighton & Hove report using drugs not prescribed by a doctor and not available on the counter in the past year, and just under half of adults (44%) drink at levels outside the 'low risk' category.

Dave McNamara, Health Promotion & Training Team Lead at CGL, said: “International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to remember those we’ve lost and stand in solidarity with families and friends affected by overdose. 

"Every life lost is one too many, and we must continue breaking down stigma so that more people feel able to seek help and support.

“With rates of drug and alcohol-related harm in Brighton & Hove above the national average, harm reduction and compassionate, evidence-based action are vital. 

"By working together as a community, we can save lives and create more opportunities for recovery and hope.”