SLO Behavioral Health to host Overdose Awareness Day event
County reports more than 2,000 Naloxone doses distributed this year
– The County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department and the Opioid Safety Coalition will host SLO Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Mitchell Park.
The free public event will include resource booths, Naloxone training, personal stories, and a memorial tribute to those lost to overdose. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Community partners, individuals in recovery, and anyone impacted by overdose are encouraged to attend.
“This day is about saving lives and reducing stigma,” said Dr. Star Graber, PhD., LMFT, director of San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health. “Behind every statistic is a person—someone’s child, friend, or neighbor. We want to come together as a community to raise awareness, honor those we’ve lost, and share tools for prevention and recovery.”
The local event aligns with International Overdose Awareness Day, the world’s largest campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. San Luis Obispo County continues to report higher-than-average overdose death rates compared to the state.
From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the county Behavioral Health Department and its partners distributed more than 2,000 doses of Narcan (Naloxone) countywide, contributing to dozens of overdose reversals. The department also launched the “Fentanyl is Forever” multimedia public awareness campaign.
“This event isn’t just for those mourning a loss—it’s for every single person in our community,” said Jenn Rhoads, the county’s opioid safety coordinator. “Overdose Awareness Day gives us a safe space to come together, share experiences, and talk openly about the real and growing dangers of opioids and fentanyl. By hearing personal stories, learning prevention strategies, and breaking the silence, we can help remove the stigma around overdose. It affects people from all walks of life in SLO County—and only together can we stop it.”
Community members who cannot attend can access free overdose reversal kits by ordering online at www.NaloxoneNowSLO.org
or by visiting NaloxBox community distribution sites. Free Naloxone is also available at county Behavioral Health offices in San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles, and Atascadero.
More information about the Opioid Safety Coalition and local overdose prevention resources is available at www.slocounty.ca.gov/osc. Substance use treatment services can be accessed by calling the Behavioral Health access line at (800) 838-1381.
SLO Overdose Awareness Day was founded by Kim Lacey after the accidental overdose of her son and is supported by International Overdose Awareness Day in Australia. The San Luis Obispo County nonprofit provides resources on overdose prevention, Naloxone access, and training, while working to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
