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Lives lost to opioid overdose deaths to be remembered on Black Balloon Day event March 6

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Wed, Mar 2nd 2022 04:35 pm

The Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force and its families and consumer support and advocacy group are coordinating activities for National Black Balloon Day on Sunday, March 6. The event began in 2016 in Peabody, Massachusetts, and Erie County has participated each year.

Erie County’s Black Balloon Day virtual event will begin at 1 p.m. via WebEx. This event will begin with an invocation by the Rev. Steven Easley of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, followed by a reading of names of people who died of an opioid overdose.

Family members and loved ones who would like to participate may pick up balloons from one of the following sites Saturday or Sunday: Party City, 4408 Milestrip Road, Blasdell; and 2141 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Vouchers are provided and up to three balloons are available at no cost. Balloons will include a QR code and instructions on how to log in to the event.

Participants are encouraged to display these balloons in front of their homes and businesses this week to honor and remember the lives of loved ones lost to the opioid epidemic. Instructions on how to sign in to the virtual event will be included with the balloons.

The Erie County Department of Health stated, “Parents, family members and friends who have faced the loss of a loved one who struggled with substance use are welcomed at this safe and supportive event.”

For more:

√ Text for Narcan: 716-225-5473

Request an emergency Narcan box for your business (online form)

√ Buffalo & Erie County addiction hotline: 716-831-7007

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