Delta County Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day and Highlights Local Recovery Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Delta County Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day and Highlights Local Recovery Resources
DELTA COUNTY, Colo. (Sept. 17, 2026) — At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Delta County Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day, observed annually on Aug. 31.
International Overdose Awareness Day remembers those lost to overdose, acknowledges the grief of families and friends, reduces the stigma surrounding substance use and recovery, and connects people with resources that can save lives.
Lyndall Young, Outreach and Education Coordinator with the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center, joined the Board for the proclamation presentation. Young helps facilitate opioid response groups in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Gunnison counties, bringing together organizations already working in prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery.
During the presentation, Young highlighted new recovery resource cards developed by The Naloxone Project, Western Colorado Area Health Education Center, regional opioid response groups and other community partners.
Available in English and Spanish, the foldable cards provide local contacts for treatment, behavioral health care, peer recovery, family support and other services. They also include a QR code linking to Thrive Community Health Network’s regularly updated regional resource directory.
“It’s really important to get connected with that real person. That’s the goal with the cards,” Young said during the Sept. 15 Board presentation.
The Naloxone Project funded the cards, which are being distributed through hospitals, schools, behavioral health centers, public health agencies, resource centers, social services offices, and naloxone kiosks. To request cards, help distribute them or be considered for inclusion as a resource, contact Young at lyoung@wcahec.org or 970-250-5752.
Naloxone, commonly sold under the brand name Narcan, can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Free Narcan is available from community access boxes at Delta County Public Health and all five Delta County Library locations in Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Hotchkiss, and Paonia—no questions and no judgment.
Opioid overdoses can happen unexpectedly. Having naloxone nearby can make a critical difference during an emergency, even if the person carrying it does not personally use opioids. Western Colorado Area Health Education Center also offers free naloxone training for schools, community organizations, and other groups.
If an overdose is suspected, call 911 immediately, administer naloxone if it is available, and remain with the person until emergency responders arrive.
Library hours and addresses are available at https://www.deltalibraries.org/hours-locations. Additional information about naloxone and overdose-response resources is available at https://www.naloxoneproject.com/resources.
In adopting the proclamation, the Board recognized the families and friends affected by overdose, along with the first responders, health care professionals, recovery advocates, and community partners working to prevent overdose and support recovery.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Mitchell
Delta County Public Information Officer
PIO@DeltaCountyCO.gov
970-874-3583
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