Overdose deaths in Milwaukee County fall by 30% as officials honor 5th Annual Black Balloon Day

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- March 6 is National Black Balloon Day – a day where friends and families honor those who have lost their lives to drug overdose.

Inside the Grind and Rise Cafe, black balloons on the wall serve as a reminder.

“A family started this because they lost their son to a drug overdose death,” said Tahira Malik, the founder of Samad's House. “For a number of years, I lived my life in addiction and by the grace of God, I was able to come in recovery.”

Now, on this Black Balloon Day, Malik is on a mission.

“The more awareness that we bring around the city of Milwaukee and the county of Milwaukee, the more lives we have the potential to save,” said Malik.

Milwaukee County is set to receive more than $100 million from opioid litigation settlements that will be used towards reducing overdose deaths.

“The data that is there, we’re not sure if that’s because of the partnerships or if that’s because we’re getting greater access to lifesaving treatments like Naloxone,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “One life lost is too many.”

In Milwaukee County, from 2023 to 2024, the Office of Emergency Management says drug overdose deaths fell by more than 30%.

“It’s a great blueprint for bringing down the number of drug overdose deaths,” said Malik.

It’s a trend Milwaukee County hopes to continue.

“No more overdose deaths, to be honest with you, that is the goal we’re going to be moving towards every single day,” said Crowley.