Berkeley County proclaims Aug. 31 International Overdose Awareness Day, honors local recovery partners

Berkeley County Council voted to adopt a proclamation recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day and urged residents to observe local remembrance and recovery activities.

The proclamation, approved unanimously at the meeting, designates Aug. 31, 2025, as International Overdose Awareness Day in Berkeley County and encourages residents to attend a local remembrance event on Aug. 26, 2025. The document describes the day as “the world’s largest campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the families and friends left behind” and frames substance use disorder as a public-health issue rather than a moral failing.

In remarks after the proclamation was read, a community representative who identified their organization’s recent local presence thanked Council and county partners including the coroner’s office and the sheriff’s department, and said a community site opened in 2024 on East Main Street now offers six weekly support groups. The representative said the groups grew from a promise made after a 2016 overdose death that “no person, no family would ever have to take this walk alone,” and thanked the county and residents for supporting that work.

Council voted on the proclamation after a motion and second; the clerk called the voice vote and the motion passed. The proclamation text as read by staff encourages “reflection, education, and support of those impacted by substance abuse” and promotes the county’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day event scheduled for Aug. 26, 2025.

The council’s action formalizes the county’s role in public awareness and signals continued collaboration with local nonprofit and public-safety partners to offer recovery supports and outreach.