Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August, Turning Point has launched its 2026 campaign toolkit for services, local authorities and partner organisations. Under the theme “Remember. Prevent. Act. Support.”, the campaign seeks to honour people who have died from overdose, acknowledge the grief experienced by families and communities, reduce stigma, and encourage informed conversations about substance use.

At the centre of this year’s campaign is the Messages and Memories activity. Turning Point services are being encouraged to create public displays where people can write messages of remembrance, hope, support or overdose prevention on specially designed cards. These community-led installations may be placed in service waiting rooms, advice centres, community noticeboards, town centres or other visible local spaces, helping remembrance become a starting point for public engagement and awareness.

People who cannot attend a local event or visit a Turning Point service can still participate through the campaign’s virtual Messages and Memory Display. Messages can be submitted anonymously and will be shared through Turning Point’s website and social media channels during the campaign. Individuals can leave a message at https://mytp.me/overdose-message, allowing people from across the country to contribute a memory, a message of hope or words of support.

The campaign also has a strong prevention focus. Its resources provide information about overdose risks, warning signs, harm reduction, drug checking, access to support and the use of naloxone, a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. By combining remembrance with practical action, Turning Point hopes to increase access to life-saving interventions, connect more people with local services and reinforce a simple message: overdose deaths are preventable, and compassionate support can save lives.

Find more from Turning Point (UK, August 2026)