Brighton Marks International Overdose Awareness Day 2025 at the Station

A Day of Remembrance at Brighton Station On Sunday, 31 August 2025, the forecourt of Brighton Station became the gathering place for an emotional and powerful observance of International Overdose Awareness Day. Families, campaigners, frontline workers, and members of the public came together to honour lives lost and highlight the urgent need for change. White […]

A Day of Remembrance at Brighton Station

On Sunday, 31 August 2025, the forecourt of Brighton Station became the gathering place for an emotional and powerful observance of International Overdose Awareness Day. Families, campaigners, frontline workers, and members of the public came together to honour lives lost and highlight the urgent need for change.

White roses and purple ribbons, the symbols of overdose awareness, were placed at the station entrance. The names of local people who died from overdoses were read aloud in a touching roll call of remembrance. Commuters and tourists paused in respect, underlining how deeply the crisis impacts Brighton and Hove.

Brighton’s Ongoing Struggle with Drug-Related Deaths

Brighton and Hove has consistently recorded some of the highest drug-related death rates in the UK. The city has long been at the centre of discussions around substance use, both for its challenges and its efforts in harm reduction.

Speakers at the event included representatives from local recovery groups, harm reduction organisations, and bereaved families. They shared deeply personal stories, many calling for increased funding for support services, better access to treatment, and the end of stigma surrounding addiction.

Promoting Harm Reduction and Awareness

The event was not only about remembrance but also about action. Volunteers handed out information on overdose prevention and explained the use of naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.

Local health organisations also provided details of support services in Brighton and Hove, offering signposts to people in need of treatment or family members seeking help for loved ones. Organisers said awareness events like this are vital for saving lives and reducing preventable deaths.

A Global Campaign with Local Impact

International Overdose Awareness Day, first held in 2001, is now recognised around the world as the largest campaign to end overdose. It serves as a reminder that behind every statistic is a person with a story and a community left grieving.

Brighton’s event, set against the backdrop of its busy railway station, carried symbolic weight. Holding the memorial in such a public location sent a clear message: overdose is not hidden in the shadows, and those lost should never be forgotten.

A Circle of Light to Close the Day

As evening fell, attendees lit candles outside the station in memory of their loved ones. The flickering lights formed a circle of remembrance, creating a poignant contrast against the hustle and bustle of the city.

For many, the moment underscored the purpose of International Overdose Awareness Day: to remember those who have died, to fight against stigma, and to advocate for better responses that can prevent future loss.