LIVES LOST TO OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS TO BE REMEMBERED ON BLACK BALLOON DAY EVENT ON MARCH 6

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force and its Families and Consumer Support & 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 on March 6. This event will begin with an invocation by Pastor 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 on Saturday, March 5 or Sunday, March 6. 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.

Party City, 4408 Milestrip Rd., Blasdell

Party City, 2141 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo

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. 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.

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• 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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