Metro Drug Coalition proudly hosted Knoxville’s International Overdose Awareness Day event on August 31, 2022. The event successfully educated the community about the signs and symptoms of overdose, provided community resources, and honored those who have been lost to overdose. The Knoxville community truly came together and embraced this event as an opportunity to educate themselves, and to heal by remembering and celebrating those lost to overdose. While there were somber and reflective moments, people left feeling uplifted, supported, and, most importantly, like they were alone.

The event began with a resource fair before both Knoxville City Mayor Indya Kincannon and Knoxville County Mayor Glenn Jacobs made a proclamation to kick off the ceremony. Several speakers shared their personal experiences with overdose and honored loved ones. The event ended with a candlelight vigil to raise up the memories of those lost. Other tributes and opportunities to heal included a photo wall, painted crosses, and a display of shoes representing each life lost to overdose in the past year. We hope you will join us at next year's International Overdose Awareness Day event and continue the conversation to end the stigma surrounding overdose!