August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, which was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to raise awareness about overdose risks and reduce stigma associated with substance use disorders. 

Opioid usage in America has skyrocketed, resulting in more preventable deaths than ever before. While tools have become available to help prevent overdoes—such at naloxone, more and more people are overdosing on street and prescription drugs, with a record-setting number of deaths in 2022. 

International Overdose Awareness Day seeks to lower the number of lives lost to opioids by spreading information on the signs of possible drug addiction and the awareness of and how to get naloxone in the case of emergencies. 

For more information and resources on drug overdoses, you can visit the CDC’s website. 

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, know that there is help out there. ReachNJ is New Jersey’s largest addiction helpline and offers a number of help and informational resources, including a 24/7 addiction helpline at 1-844-REACHNJ.

SAMHSA—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—also offers a free, confidential 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. SAMHSA will refer the call to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations for help. 

We are also here to help. We host SMART Recovery meetings at our Library branches for Edison residents struggling with drug and other substance use disorders. You can see all of the upcoming meetings on our Events page. 

Below are selections of books available to Edison Public Library patrons to educate them on the history of the opioid epidemic that has gripped our nation, that help illustrate the pain and suffering addicts endure, and can provide insight to help loved ones who are themselves struggling with addiction.