Someone’s brother. Someone’s best friend. Someone’s hero.

Each day 174 Americans die from a drug overdose. Every 12 hours someone in Virginia dies of an opioid overdose. It’s time to remember and time to act.

You can do something to help. Friday, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.

As the number of deaths and overdoses continues to rise, public health officials attribute the increase, in part, to an increasing dependency on prescription drugs. Increased community awareness is a crucial factor to stemming the epidemic. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is launching a new educational website - KNOW the RxSK - Use with Caution (KnowRX.org) to help educate the public about the risks of prescription drug misuse and importance of proper disposal. The website features information about opioids, what opioid addiction “looks like,” where to get help across the region, and locations to safely dispose of leftover or expired opioid medications.

Help stop opioid dependency in our community; log on, learn, and share.

Also, in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, CSB community partner the Chris Atwood Foundation is holding a free overdose reversal training in memory of those lost to overdose. The event will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Braddock Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, 22015; register to attend the session.

Other “REVIVE!” overdose reversal trainings are held several times monthly; all members of the community are encouraged to learn how to save lives by knowing the signs and symptoms of an overdose and how to administer Naloxone.

All trainings are FREE. No registration required.

Upcoming CSB trainings include:

• Tuesday, September 4 at 11:30 a.m., Merrifield Center, 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax
• Sunday, September 16, at 3 p.m., A New Beginning, gym, 4213 Walney Road, Chantilly
• Thursday, September 20, at 3:30 p.m., Gartlan Center, 8119 Holland Road, Room 168, Alexandria

Or see other upcoming REVIVE trainings.

Are you concerned about your own opioid use, or the drug use of someone you care about?

Call CSB’s Entry & Referral to schedule a confidential screening at 703-383-8500, or call the Fairfax Detoxification Center 24/7 at 703-502-7000. Call 911 if the concern is life-threatening.

The tragedy of overdose death IS preventable.