BUFFALO, N.Y. — It was a somber day for those who have lost a loved one to the opioid epidemic.
Erie County recognized Black Balloon Day on Sunday with a memorial display at the Buffalo History Museum.
Pictures of people's loved ones, all lost to the opioid epidemic, were on display to bring awareness to the community. Event organizers said someone in Erie County dies of a drug overdose nearly every single day.
"A lot of times people who are struggling don't realize they're developing a disease, so it is important for families to know the warning signs of the disease, especially when they first start out, and then have that conversation," Debra Smith of the Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force told 2 On Your Side.
Officials said 2023 was a record-breaking year for overdose deaths, with nearly 400 confirmed or suspected deaths.
"We recorded the county's highest total ever for opioid overdose deaths in 2023. Historically, overdose events begin to rise in March and continue to climb through the warmer months," commissioner of health Dr. Gale Burstein said in a statement.
"These are completely preventable tragedies, and one tool for that is to know how and when to use Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose, and to have Narcan with you as part of a standard first aid kit. During an overdose, you can be the help until help arrives."
The county also provided a warning that fentanyl is commonly mixed with cocaine, often without the user's knowledge. The task force said that helped contribute to the higher number of deaths.