Gov. Mike DeWine has issued an order for the U.S. and Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff across the state in honor of Ohio Overdose Awareness Day. The flags will be lowered on public buildings and grounds, including the statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes Tower. This observance, which falls on Saturday, aims to remember the lives lost to the national opioid epidemic and marks the beginning of September as Recovery Month.

Overdose Awareness Day serves as a reminder that addiction affects us all and underscores the need for connectivity and support in the fight against substance abuse. Gov. DeWine expressed in a statement, "It's a time to remember those we've lost and to reflect on the resilience of those who are in recovery. Through awareness and support, we can turn tragedy into action and strengthen our communities."

Established in 2021 through Senate Bill 30, Ohio Overdose Awareness Day has gained significance in bringing attention to the ongoing opioid crisis. To facilitate local communities in promoting this day, leaders from DeWine's RecoveryOhio initiative, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS) have collaborated to create an Ohio Overdose Awareness Day Toolkit.

In the past four years, Ohio has made significant strides in expanding opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to combat the crisis effectively. The number of OTPs has grown from 35 in 2019 to 125 currently. Moreover, the number of patients served by these programs has increased from 21,365 to 38,132 within the same timeframe.

In conjunction with the observance this year, state officials are promoting Naloxone.Ohio.gov, an online resource that provides Ohioans with an easy process to obtain free naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. This initiative aims to provide crucial support and resources to individuals struggling with addiction and emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding substance abuse.

Aimee Shadwick, director of the RecoveryOhio initiative, emphasized the significance of Overdose Awareness Day. She stated, "This day is about bringing our communities together to support those struggling with addiction and to strengthen our efforts in education, prevention, and recovery. It provides an opportunity to honor the lives lost to overdose and shed light on the risks associated with substance use."

As Ohio prepares to mark Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, it serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic. By coming together as a community, supporting those in recovery, and raising awareness about the risks of substance use, Ohio continues to make progress in addressing this crisis.