Baxter and Marion counties have officially designated Aug. 31, 2026, as Overdose Awareness Day in a move to address the ongoing issue of substance use and overdose within their communities. The proclamations were coordinated through the PAYS Coalition, a local organization focused on prevention and youth support initiatives.
Joshua Bird, director and coordinator for the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program under the PAYS Coalition, emphasized that the proclamations aim to acknowledge the impact of overdose on a local level while encouraging the involvement of government entities in prevention efforts. According to Bird, the designations honor individuals who have died from overdoses, aim to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use, and reflect government support for community-based prevention measures.
In Baxter County, the signing event included Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams, Mountain Home High School SEAD student Hunter Coy, PAYS Coalition President Carry Manuel, and Baxter County Judge Kevin Litty. In Marion County, the event featured Yellville Mayor Hunter Duren, Marion County Judge Jason Stumph, and Yellville-Summit High School SEAD students Samantha Siller and Michelle Twardowski, alongside Bird.
The proclamations extend beyond recognition, supporting organizations involved in prevention work and creating opportunities for public education about overdose and substance use. Bird noted that the formal declarations provide "tangible evidence" of local engagement and help establish prevention as a community priority.
From the perspective of the PAYS Coalition, making Overdose Awareness Day an officially recognized event elevates the importance of overdose prevention from an advocacy effort to a shared community responsibility.
For more information on the PAYS Coalition's work, Joshua Bird can be contacted at 870-508-6360, ext. 360.