Communities throughout the state, the country, even across the globe will come together Aug. 31 to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day – an effort to honor people who died or suffered permanent injury because of a substance-related OD.
It’s considered the world’s largest annual campaign dedicated to ending overdoses and reducing the stigma associated with substance use and drug-related deaths. It also focuses on and acknowledges the grief of families and friends left behind.
“The idea is to encourage lasting change in how communities support those affected by substance use,” said Chris Thomas, director of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.
It’s a day to remember those lost – yet still a day designed to inspire hope through education, prevention, treatment and recovery.
- For example, the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office and the Knoxville Police Department at the beginning of the month started placing crosses outside the City County Building in honor of those who lost their lives to an overdose, serving as a powerful visual reminder of the impact overdose continues to have on individuals, families, and our community.
- On Aug. 30, the Attorney General’s Office will host a memorial service for families who lost someone.
- A number of organizations and non-profits from 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 31 at Volunteer Landing will participate in a community resource fair, display memorials, and host family-friendly activities.
- And, the Metro Drug Coalition will host live entertainment and games, as well as a recovery fair, 3-7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Market Square.
“Behind every statistic and number is a family member, friend, neighbor, coworker – a face – whose life has been changed forever,” said Dr. Darinka Mileusnic, chief medical examiner for the Knox County RFC.
Fentanyl and its analogues were the most frequently identified drugs in last year’s local drug-related deaths, according to the Knox County Forensic Center’s most recent Drug Related Death Report, which analyzed deaths in 2025.
The study looks at cases in Knox and Anderson counties – two areas where the KCRFC serves as the chief medical examiner.
It notes that Fentanyl was the top drug discovered during toxicology testing in 2025 (190 cases).
However, that is a decrease from 2024 (246 cases) and from 2023 (437 cases).
In Knox County, overall drug-related deaths dropped 8 percent in 2025 compared to 36 percent in 2024. In Anderson County, drug-related deaths decreased 13 percent in 2025, compared to 15 percent the previous year.
The five most common drugs identified in 2025 drug-related deaths were synthetic opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, gabapentin and alcohol/ethanol.
For the first half of 2026, drug-related deaths in Knox County are down another 16 percent from the same period in 2025 (177 to 149). The most common drugs found in fatal drug-related deaths are fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, cychlorphine and xylazine.
“Communities are stronger and safer when we work together, but we need to constantly be vigilant,” Thomas added.
