It is hard to watch a loved one who is battling a drug addiction.

You fear the worst, but pray and hope for the best.

Sometimes, the person loses their battle by overdosing.

On Thursday, the Carbon County Board of Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day.

Carbon County has had 20 overdose related deaths this year, the proclamation states.

International Overdose Awareness Day’s goal is to “raise awareness of the risks of overdosing, honor the individuals whose lives have been lost from overdosing and acknowledge the grief felt by the families, friends and communities.”

It also challenges the stigma surrounding addiction.

“Every person deserves our best efforts to prevent injury and death from overdose,” the proclamation states.

The commissioners also adopted a proclamation naming September as National Recovery Month.

The idea is to bring to light that help and support is available to those battling addiction and mental health disorders.

Robert L. Mikulski, assistant administrator, Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission, said that one death from an overdose is too many, adding that the drug and alcohol commission hopes to change that statistic through the various services it provides.

“We’re looking at nontraditional types of activities,” he said, noting that in September, the commission will partner with the Palmerton Festival.

They will also be giving out Narcan and providing drug disposal kits and more.

Mikulski said that through their efforts, the commission hopes to reach funeral directors, and senior centers to get drug disposal kits into the hands of family and older adults.

They are also focusing on case management services for those who are incarcerated and getting ready to reenter society; as well as prevention services in elementary schools.

“One of the things we feel is not everybody needs treatment, but everybody needs prevention,” he said. “ ... The bottom line is we want to break down the stigma that if treatment is needed, whether physical or behavioral health, we’re there. ... We just want to keep the ball rolling and keep the awareness out there.”