Dopey Day 2024: Remembering Those We've Lost & Looking Toward the Future
Recovery is always possible if we keep people alive.
In May, the CDC announced the first decrease in overdose deaths since 2018. This is encouraging and undoubtedly results from the federal government’s shift toward embracing harm reduction. However, with 107,543 people dying by overdose in 2023 (74,702 of those fentanyl-related)—the third year in a row that overdose deaths surpassed 100,000—we remain deeply entrenched in a crisis fueled by the systemic failure of providing adequate mental and physical healthcare to those who need it most and the proliferation of fentanyl in the drug supply (Thanks, War on Drugs!).
*Sidenote: I highly recommend following Zachary Siegel's work here and elsewhere. His reportage on the continual rise of overdose deaths and our failed drug policies is required reading for anyone who cares about the addiction crisis in America.
While it can all feel bleak, I have hope.
It’s why I continue to speak with young people and their parents, legislators, law enforcement, medical professionals, those struggling with addiction, and really anyone willing to listen and become better informed. We should be concerned with treating the health of human beings, not fighting a war.
On that note.... today is Dopey Day.
Every August 16th, Dopey, the podcast about drugs, addiction, and dumb sh#t, celebrates Dopey Day (AKA Chris-Miss in August)—a day to honor Chris O'Connor, co-creator of Dopey, on his birthday. Tragically, Chris died from a fentanyl overdose six years ago. Dopey Day is a moment to not only honor Chris and the countless others we have lost but to come together to destigmatize addiction and celebrate our recovery.
To commemorate the day, we place the Dopey logo across our eyes in social media pics as a demonstration of solidarity and celebration.
In the past few years, artists have created public works of art in honor of Dopey Day. And, this year, Dopey is launching the new Call-A-Dope hotline in partnership with SafeSpot, a nonprofit foundation that operates an overdose prevention hotline. The hotline connects folks who are using drugs with a trained operator who can call for help in case of an overdose. Available 24 hours a day, please share the number with anyone at risk: 1-800-972-0590.
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