Tree planted for the 25th Overdose Awareness Day, in memory of North Lincolnshire’s lives lost to drug overdose

On the 25th International Overdose Awareness Day, WithYou in North Lincolnshire has planted a tree in their allotment, to remember lives tragically lost to overdose.

The ceremony was attended by staff and clients from the service, and partner organisation Scunthorpe Recovery Service (Double Impact).

Staff were also on hand at The Forge, handing out harm reduction tools including the overdose-reversal drug, naloxone, and drug-testing kits.

Kate House, Head of Service Delivery at WithYou in North Lincolnshire, said:

“Overdose Awareness Day is a time for us to stand together in grief. Every life lost to overdose is a tragedy that ripples through our whole community. Planting this tree creates a dedicated, living space for remembrance - every day, not just today. The allotment itself gives our clients an environment in which to rest and heal, spend time in nature, and find the strength to follow their own recovery journey alongside others who truly understand.

“25 years after the campaign first started, Overdose Awareness Day is still needed. I urge everyone reading this to learn the signs of overdose and how to use the overdose-reversal drug naloxone - you could save a life.”

The latest ONS statistics, published October 2025, revealed 10 people sadly died from drug poisoning in 2024 in North Lincolnshire.

Pictured: Recovery worker Rick Hopper helping to plant the tree