'Recovery is possible': International Overdose Awareness Day 2026 event to take place in Kildare

Pictured above is Newbridge Town Hall, which is the venue that will be hosting the event | FILE PHOTOGRAPH

placeholder image — Pictured above is Newbridge Town Hall, which is the venue that will be hosting the event | FILE PHOTOGRAPH

International Overdose Awareness Day takes place every August 31

Members of the public in County Kildare have been invited to attend an International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) 2026 event.

First established 25 years ago, IOAD takes place every August 31 and aims to educate people about the consequences of drug overdoses, and also how to prevent and / or address them when they do occur.

The upcoming event, which is being organised by the official International Overdose Awareness Day organisation and the Substance Use Regional Forum (SURF), has been welcomed by one local representative, Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender.

According to Cllr Pender, who is also a director at SURF, asserted that the event will serve as ‘an opportunity’ for people to:

“Learn how Naloxone can save a life during an opioid overdose”
“Find out more about harm reduction and local supports”
“Remember those who have lost their lives to overdose”
“Stand with families, friends and communities affected”
“Challenge stigma and support recovery”

Cllr Pender also said: “Recovery is possible, and the right information can save lives.”

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender | FILE PHOTOGRAPH

The Kildare-based IOAD 2026 event will take place inside Newbridge Town Hall on Monday, August 31, 2026.

It will begin at 1pm and conclude at 3pm.

Anyone seeking further information about IOAD and SURF can visit overdoseday.com and surfonline.ie respectively.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116 123) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).

For further information related to seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, please contact the HSE's confidential drugs and alcohol freephone helpline on 1800 459 459, from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm, or email [email protected].

You can also visit the HSE’s fficial Drugs and Alcohol Helpline service at https://www2.hse.ie/services/habit-addiction/drugs-and-alcohol-helpline/.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme