STEUBEN CO., N.Y. (WENY) -- On Wednesday, March 6th, Steuben County will remember people who lost their lives due to an overdose. The annual event is called Black Balloon Day and it happens not only in the Southern Tier but nationwide. 

The Steuben Prevention Coalition says black balloons represent the lives lost to overdose death in each community. A virtual balloon release will be hosted by the Steuben Prevention Coalition, and anyone can fill out a form to have a virtual balloon released in honor of a loved one. 

The form is available here.

According to the Center for Disease Control in 2023, the U.S. had more than 109,000 overdose deaths. 2023 remains the highest number to date of overdose deaths. The CDC adds, that more people have lost their lives to fentanyl overdoses compared to COVID-19, suicides, and car accidents.

Corning's Community College will take part in honoring the day with an information table located in the Commons.

The Steuben County Public Health Department says in 2024 there were 12 reported overdoses, no fatalities and 5 overdoes that used Narcan.