On International Overdose Awareness Day, those in Milwaukee recognize and honor people who have been affected by or have lost their lives because of drug-related overdose.Addiction is a struggle many may believe they're facing alone, but on International Overdose Awareness Day, those impacted by drugs were welcomed with open arms by a strong, supportive community spread out across Milwaukee. "We're here to help," said Kelly Coleman, a spiritual mental health coach and counselor. "That's one thing about the community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You have services from the north side to the south side."Thursday's events took place between Samad's House, UMOS, and the Mitchell Park Pavilion.Attendees were able to learn practical lessons, like how to administer Narcan, which will reverse the effects of an overdose. Fentanyl testing strips were also on hand, which can detect fentanyl in drugs. Through these trainings, people were able to learn how to prevent a tragedy."When you are in a stressful environment like that, and someone's life is on the line, you definitely want to know what you're doing," said Kale Schmidt, a prevention specialist. "People can shut down, so it's really important to have that training so that it's like muscle memory for you."Open mics and grief counseling were also offered, allowing attendees to heal from tragedies and celebrate their successes."Most people that use, they really don't want to die, right?" Coleman said. "A lot of times when you talk to them, they're trying to escape some trauma.""Now that my mind is clear," said Soulese Chapman, who is in recovery. "I know that there's help."Many who help to make International Overdose Awareness Day possible in Milwaukee, are also survivors themselves, hoping to use their second chance to save others. "Two years ago, I lost my sister to a fentanyl overdose," Schmidt said. "That's all they found in her system. I'm also a survivor of an overdose, when I was about 17. I also have a lot of friends that struggle with substance use. I've kind of come out on the other side, and now I feel like I can help people. It's very rewarding because the person that found my sister didn't have that, and they didn't know what to do, and that can mean the difference in someone's life. That could have been a wake-up call for her to not use. Surviving an overdose was a wake-up call for me, for sure. So it's very rewarding."For more information on International Overdose Awareness Day in Milwaukee, and for resources on how to get help with a substance abuse issue, click here.