Olympia Youth Council debuts overdose awareness PSA 

A youth-led public service announcement (PSA), aimed at raising awareness about drug overdoses and saving lives, made its debut at an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

The debut came on the same day the council proclaimed the observance of Drug Overdose Awareness Month.  

Created by the Olympia Youth Council, the 60-second video highlights the signs of overdose, the lifesaving power of Naloxone and the importance of speaking up. 

The PSA, presented by Youth Council Chair Nolan O’Connell, and Youth Council member Shruti Lingham-Nattami, urges viewers to recognize the signs of overdose and take action. It will be broadcast on the city’s TV3 station, be shared on social media and distributed to schools and community partners.  

“It is sad that we have to see our peers have to go through something that becomes out of their control. There’s a huge stigma about overdoses that is not talked about enough with recent news,” Lingham-Nattami said.

“We have to realize that we need to make more awareness on overdoses … because if we don’t, the issue will only get worse.” 

Katie Strozyk, Opioid Response Coordinator with the Thurston County Public Health, said youths want to be part of the conversation as they are witnessing the tragic loss of their own peers.  

“Youth have been a priority population for us. This has been a new way for us to reach youth, using youth voices,” Strozyk said

“This is something that we’ve heard from youth in our community, that they want to hear information from other youth and not from adults about overdose response.”  

Council members commended the Youth Council for its leadership and the powerful impact of their peer-to-peer messaging.  

Council member Clark Gilman praised the youth council as “reliable messengers” and “trusted voices.” He commended their courage in speaking out and helping to break the stigma around overdose.

“This is a health care issue, and you are empowered to intervene in somebody’s crisis. I am grateful for your courage and your good work," Gilman said.

Overdose awareness 

The PSA launch coincided with the council’s proclamation of Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day. The proclamation underscored the urgent need for education, prevention and recovery support, as well as the devastating impact of overdose in the community. In 2023, 122 fatal overdoses were recorded locally.  

“As someone with lived experience, I’ve lost more friends than I can count to overdose, and I’ve seen the impact on families and our community firsthand. I’ve had to administer Naloxone to save a friend’s life in my own home,” Strozyk shared.  

She expressed gratitude for the city council’s ongoing commitment to recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day, noting the city’s annual proclamations help keep the conversation alive.  

Strozyk also highlighted the robust efforts underway in Thurston County, including a dedicated opioid response task force working on prevention, treatment, services for pregnant and parenting individuals, and overdose response efforts. 

The Public Health and Social Services Department offers free overdose response training for nonprofits, businesses and community members.  

Recently, a 24-hour Naloxone vending machine was installed at Franklin Street Harm Reduction, 704 Franklin St. SE in Olympia, providing around-the-clock, no-barrier access to Naloxone for community members.  

 Strozyk also invited the community to the International Overdose Awareness Day event at Heritage Park from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, where attendees can memorialize loved ones, access free Naloxone and educational materials, and connect with others affected by overdose.