Alabama marks National Opioid Awareness Day with statewide campaign, 30% drop in overdose deaths

—

September 22, 2025

From billboards to online resources, the National Opioid Awareness Day focused on education, prevention, and recovery.

The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), in partnership with Opioids Take and funded by the Alabama Legislature, recognized National Opioid Awareness Day on September 21.

The annual observance called on Alabamians to reflect, learn, and take action against the opioid crisis, as communities across the country came together to mark the day.

Opioid misuse continued to be one of the most pressing public health challenges in Alabama. National Opioid Awareness Day served as an opportunity to reaffirm the state’s commitment to saving lives and supporting families through compassion and education.

Thanks to the efforts of the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds, state agencies, and dedicated community providers and partners, overdose deaths in Alabama dropped by more than 30% from 2024 to 2025, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Key efforts for National Opioid Awareness Day included numerous outdoor billboards across Alabama, expanded messaging on social platforms, and dedicated resources at OpioidsTake.com, a central hub where individuals could learn more about opioids, alternative pain management strategies, and treatment options.

OpioidsTake.com remained a state-funded initiative designed to highlight how opioids can take health, relationships, opportunities, and lives, while also showcasing stories of recovery and hope. The initiative aimed to reduce stigma, expand access to information, and engage communities across Alabama in prevention and recovery.

The observance of National Opioid Awareness Day was one of the many ways the effort worked to drive change across the state.

Opioid misuse continues to affect families and communities across Alabama. By observing National Opioid Awareness Day, ADMH and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to saving lives and supporting families through prevention, treatment, and recovery. More information remained available at www.OpioidsTake.com.