International Overdose Awareness Day ( IOAD ) is a global event held on August 31 each year . Its purpose is to raise awareness of overdoses , reduce the stigma of drugrelated deaths and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends . Here are some ways to recognize IOAD :

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Attend our Keeping Hope event , the 3 ^rd Annual Overdose Awareness & Remembrance Day presented by Volusia Recovery Alliance and Halifax Health Continuing Care . The event is being held on August 28 , 2021 at 5 pm at the Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church Post a special tribute on social media to your loved one who has passed away from an overdose . Use # endoverdose to be a part of the online campaign . Wear purple to raise awareness of overdose and spread the message that overdose is preventable . Donate in your loved one ’ s memory to organizations that provide recovery services to people suffering with substance use disorders .

Research has also shown that people who get exposure to sunshine show improvement in their mood . Being in the sunshine increases Vitamin D , which has been shown to help stimulate endorphins which help us feel better . Just sitting in the sun for 15 – 30 minutes a day can make a big difference in the weight of your grief . Here are some fun ways to soak up the rays .

‣ Take a short walk in the sunshine with your dog

‣ Take a bike ride by yourself or with friends

‣ Take a trip to the beach & write your loved one ’ s name in the sand

‣ Make their favorite dish for a meal or bring to an outdoor BBQ

‣ Have a picnic at the park , leave a painted rock in memory of them

‣ Explore trails and path , enjoying the serenity that nature provides along the way

Answer : Start with a short , simple explanation of what happened , in language children can understand , and let their questions guide what else to share . You don ’ t have to describe in detail what happened , but try to answer their questions honestly . Being honest minimizes confusion and keeps children and teens from using their energy and resources to try and figure out what happened or blame themselves . It is important for children to hear about the death from a caring adult rather than through indirect sources . Children may be unfamiliar with the concept of addiction . To help them understand , adults can explain that addiction is a disease of the brain , in which the brain doesn ’ t function correctly , which leads to engaging in unsafe , unhealthy behaviors , like using substances . An overdose can be explained as when someone takes too much of a substance or the wrong substance and it makes their body stop working . If you have been struggling with how to have these conversations , or have not been fully honest up to this point , try not to be too hard on yourself . After all , you are also grappling with your own grief . It ’ s never too late to talk about with them . Going forward , the key is to create an environment where difficult , yet necessary conversations can take place .