McLean County Law and Justice Center honoring International Overdose Awareness Day with silver ribbon memorial

Posted on August 31, 2019

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County is remembering those who lost their lives due to overdose.

Last year, 30 people in the county died from overdose. Outside the McLean County Law and Justice Center, there are 30 silver ribbons in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, which is Saturday.

Over 100 Americans die from drug overdose every day, and North America continues to experience the highest drug-related mortality rate in the world, accounting for 1 in 4 drug-related deaths globally.

International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 by Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St Kilda, Melbourne. Since then, the day is recognized by people from around the world to raise overdose awareness, reduce stigma, and provide a platform to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends who have lost a loved one to overdose.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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