MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Saturday is International Overdose Awareness Day, the largest annual campaign to help reduce overdoses while remembering those who have died.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics said in 2023 alone, there were an estimated 107,543 deaths from overdose nationwide.
That number is a 3% decrease from 2022, marking the first annual decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018.
Myrtle Beach Fire Department Opioid Program Coordinator Michelle Smith said everyone is welcome to the event.
“International Overdose Awareness Day is the largest annual event to end overdose, remembering without stigma and acknowledging those we have lost and highlighting the grief of family members and friends left behind,” she said.
Smith explained what the event will be offering.
“We will have a food drive, canned food drive, and all donations that will be collected will go to Lowcountry Food Bank,” she said. “We’ll have Narcan training hosted by Shoreline Behavioral Health and there will also be a moment of silence.”