08/31/2026
Today, August 31st, is International Overdose Awareness Day. On this day, we honor the memories of those we have lost to overdose. Every overdose is preventable and we all play a role making a safer world for all, including for those who use drugs.
For survivors of violence, the social stigma of being a person who uses drugs can add an additional layer of barrier to care and services. These barriers to care increase a person’s risk of experiencing interpersonal violence, whether it is domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, bias violence, or trafficking. In addition, these barriers also increase the risk that someone could experience an overdose or not have access to safer use supplies.
For some survivors, drugs were/are used as a tool to control, to isolate, or facilitate abuse or assault. For some survivors, drugs were/are a tool for coping with the experience of violence. For some survivors, their experience with drugs might not be directly related to their experience of violence but may inform how they navigate the world of services. For many, it is a complicated intersection between the drugs they use(d) and the violence they experience(d).
If you are a survivor who also uses drugs, you are worthy of full access to care as a survivor AND as a person who uses drugs. Whatever path you decide to take, you deserve respect, care, and safety. If your safety planning concerns include safer drug use, BRAVO is here to have that conversation with you and connect you with supports.
Anyone can carry Narcan, regardless of their relationship with drugs. There are many scenarios where Narcan may be a lifesaving tool because a bystander was able to administer naloxone in time to reverse an overdose.
Our partners at Safe Point have services that are available to anyone over 18 who uses drugs. Ohio residents can order FREE Narcan and fentanyl/xylazine test strips and Franklin County residents can access anonymous syringe exchange services from Safe Point Ohio (a program of Equitas Health).
Ohio residents can order FREE Narcan, learn about overdose intervention, and find their closest syringe exchange program by checking out Harm Reduction Ohio.
If you are a trans person in Franklin County who uses injectable hormones, Safe Point may also be able to help you access syringes for this purpose, safely dispose of them, and provide education and assistance around safer use.
As always, BRAVO can connect you to resources, discuss a safety plan, and provide support. Get help:
☎️ Call (866) 862-7286
📱 Text us (614) 333-1907
🖱️ Chat online at bravo.equitashealth.org
💙 Walk in or make an appointment
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🫶
