Connecticut officials, led by Governor Ned Lamont, are drawing attention to addiction and recovery resources in advance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, while acknowledging a significant reduction in fatal drug overdoses since 2021.
The state reported 836 overdose deaths in 2025, marking a 45% decline from its peak in 2021, yet officials emphasize the ongoing severity of the public health crisis. Connecticut has dedicated substantial resources to combat the overdose crisis, focusing on prevention, expanding access to treatment and recovery services, increasing naloxone availability, and reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorder. Residents are encouraged to learn overdose recognition and response, carry naloxone, and connect individuals struggling with addiction to support.
Governor Lamont underscored the human cost, saying, “In advance of International Overdose Awareness Day, I want to acknowledge the 836 lives we’ve lost over the past year. Each one of these individuals represents a loss in our Connecticut community and an immeasurable impact on their loved ones. This fight is not over. Our work is not done until every person living with substance use disorder has access to the support they need not just to live, but to thrive.”
Attorney General William Tong highlighted financial efforts, stating, “Connecticut has fought to hold the companies that fueled this crisis accountable, helping secure more than $50 billion nationwide, including $600 million for Connecticut, for treatment, prevention, and recovery services.” He added that the state continues to fight to prevent further loss.
Commissioner Nancy Navarretta of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services reaffirmed the commitment to saving lives through investments in prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programs. Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D., of the Department of Public Health, stressed replacing stigma with compassion, noting, “Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing, and everyone deserves the opportunity to seek help, access treatment, and recover.”
Resources available to Connecticut residents include www.LiveLOUD.org for information on opioid use disorder and support, and www.ctaddictionservices.com or 1-800-563-4086 for treatment and recovery services. Naloxone, a life-saving medication, is widely accessible, and residents are urged to obtain and learn to administer it. Several community events are scheduled across Connecticut leading up to and on August 31 to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day.