CUPHD Expands Efforts to Prevent Overdose Deaths
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2025
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 /
CUPHD Expands Efforts to Prevent Overdose Deaths
On International Overdose Awareness Day, CUPHD Raises Awareness of the Opioid Crisis and Shares New Strategies to Protect the Community
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) recognizes August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day. This global campaign honors the many lives lost to overdose while raising awareness about the opioid crisis. Opioid overdoses remain a serious public health concern, and it is vital to take every opportunity to raise awareness, provide resources, and support those affected.
NARCAN® (naloxone) is a live-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of opioids, allowing the individual to restore normal breathing. NARCAN® is safe to use on someone who is unconscious, making it an important tool in overdose response. If administered to someone who is not overdosing on opioids, it will not cause harm. In 2024, CUPHD distributed more than 14,000 NARCAN® kits and continues to seek innovative ways to address the ongoing crisis.
CUPHD is also developing an Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) team, bringing together local professionals and substance use experts to focus on reducing overdose deaths. Fatality review teams have historically been used to address complex public health issues such as homicide, child deaths, maternal mortality, critical incidents, and suicide deaths. The OFR team will confidentially review local overdose fatalities to identify patterns and develop recommendations for systemic changes to help prevent future deaths.
For more information, visit https://www.overdoseday.com/.
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