Standing Together On

Overdose Awareness

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day—a time to remember those we’ve lost, support those in recovery, and stand up for those still struggling. It’s not just a global campaign—it’s a local call to action. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects our families, our friends, our coworkers, and our community. And too often, the stigma around substance use keeps people suffering in silence.

This year, we’re focusing on a specific, urgent issue: prescription drug abuse. Powerful opioids like fentanyl—often hiding in counterfeit pills or mixed with other drugs—are fueling an overdose crisis that takes nearly 300 lives a day in the U.S. alone. In 2023, over 107,000 people died from overdose. That’s one person every 5 minutes. And it’s not just happening in the shadows—nearly 10% of all workplace fatalities in 2022 were from overdose.

Substance use and misuse—whether it’s alcohol, nicotine, opioids, or other legal or illegal substances—can impair reaction time, coordination, and judgment. It changes how our brains work, and in safety-critical environments like manufacturing, transportation, and construction, those changes can be deadly.

But here’s the truth: Overdose can be prevented.

International Overdose Awareness Day is guided by six key principles:

  1. Overdose can and must be prevented

  2. Overdose prevention solutions exist—let’s use them

  3. Criminalizing drug use hasn’t worked

  4. Compassionate alternatives must be pursued

  5. Policy must protect communities and human rights

  6. Everyone deserves access to respectful, comprehensive health care

At CraneWerks and throughout our extended network, we believe in showing up for our people. That includes those who are navigating recovery, those who’ve lost someone, and those fighting to change the conversation.

Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. For some, it means total abstinence and formal treatment. For others, it may be about reducing harm, finding peer support, or reclaiming control in a way that works for their unique journey. 50 million Americans identify as being in recovery—that’s 50 million stories of resilience, growth, and hope.

So what can we do?

Take Action in Your Circle:

  • Carry Naloxone – It’s a simple step that can save a life.

  • Learn the signs of overdose – Don’t wait to act.

  • Start the hard conversations – With your coworkers, your kids, your doctor.

  • Push past stigma – Share stories. Ask questions. Listen without judgment.

  • Store medications safely – And dispose of unused meds properly.

  • Support legislation like the WORK to Save Lives Act – Because policy matters.

  • Support recovery – Encourage, check in, and show grace.

This crisis is complex, but our response doesn’t have to be. It starts with compassion. It starts with awareness. It starts with us.

Let’s be a company—and a community—that shows up, speaks up, and stands together. CraneWerks Cares.

For more information on Overdose Awareness:

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