International Overdose Awareness Day is on Wednesday

Wednesday is recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day.

In Jefferson County there will be two events being held to help spread awareness, remember lives that have been lost and support those currently struggling with addiction.

Jillian Bissell is a Drug Prevention Specialist with the Jefferson County Drug Prevention Coalition. She says the first event gets underway on Wednesday morning.

The second event is on Wednesday evening starting at 5:30 and will be held at the Jefferson County Northwest Branch Library in High Ridge.

In April 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that the number of people in the USA who had died from overdose in the 12-month period to the end of September 2020 was 90,237.

Opioids reportedly account for the majority of drug-related deaths.