Milwaukee supports honorary life, celebrate progress at Black Ballon Day

In Milwaukee, the House of Samad watches the Black Ballon Day, a global day of memory of life that is lost through an overdose.

This year there is also a reason to celebrate – a decline in the deaths of overdoses in Milwaukee County by 30%. Community leaders, supporters and activists gathered to think about this progress and save in their struggle for life.

The Black Ballon Day is observed every year on March 6th to honor those who have lost their lives through drug overdoses and raise awareness of the ongoing opioid crisis. The day encourages families, friends and communities to remember relatives by exhibiting black balloons outside of their houses, companies or community centers.

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The Black Ballon Day was founded in 2016 by Diane and Lauren Hurley in memory of Greg Tremblay, a man from Massachusetts who died of an overdose in 2015. Since then, the day has gained national recognition that triggered discussions about addiction talks, reducing the need for better treatment options and stigma by stigma by substance disorders.

Five years ago, Tahira Malik Samad's house founded a sober life for women. However, before she became a manager in recovery, she lived a different reality – one that was shaped by her own fight against opioid dependency.

“I lived my life in addiction for 16 years,” said Malik. “I noticed that it is not just enough to rebuild our life after addiction – we want to go back to the community and save lives.”

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The Black Ballon Day not only honors the lost ones, but also brings organizations such as the Milwaukee Fire Department, the medical services of the community and local non -profit organizations to spread awareness and enable resources to reduce.

“The black balloons represent lives that have been lost,” said Malik. “I lost so many relatives through overdose deaths, and that's why we became proactive.”

The crisis does not discriminate – it affects people for all backgrounds. Deshawn Ewing by Community supporters emphasized the urgency of the situation.

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“It is extremely serious. Regardless of status, job title or economic income, none of these factors stops the fact that people die every day,” said Ewing.

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Amanda de Leon, who works with medical services of the community, testifies to the effects first -hand.

“At the moment we see an increase in black and brown people who die due to the opioid use,” she said.

She believes that education is the key and events like Black Ballon Day contribute to bringing the community together to combat the crisis.

When I asked about the latest progress, I asked a question: “We celebrate a decline in the overdose death by 30%. How do we get 60%?”

De Leon's answer was clear: “By doing the work that we can do by completing the boots on the ground.”

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The decline in the overdose is a sign that efforts work, but supporters say that they will not stop here. With an official proclamation of the Black Ballon Day in Milwaukee, you are more determined than ever to continue to fight.

“There is hope for people who live in addiction,” emphasized Malik. “We have the power to save lives by only informing all of the resources to reduce damage that are easily available.”

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For Malik, every black balloon is more than a symbol – it reminds why she is fighting.

“Today's event is a step in the right direction,” she said. “But there is still work to do.”

You can find more information on the website: www.samadshouse.org

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