Unity Health is co-sponsoring an International Overdose Awareness Day Rally from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held in August to raise awareness of drug overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 446 drug overdose deaths in Arkansas in 2017 and the Arkansas drug overdose death rate is 15.5 compared to the U.S. rate of 21.7. 

The rally also acknowledges the grief felt by family and friends remembering those who have died or have a permanent injury due to drug overdose. 

The event is free to the public and will feature live music, food, guest speakers Kirk Lane, Arkansas State Drug Director and Laura Monteverdi from THV11, education materials including mental health information, Narcan information and resources and a balloon and photo memorial display.

For more information on the event, contact Shannon Mulkern at [email protected] or Vena Schexnayder from Unity Health at 501.291-0814.