Residents of Adams County are encouraged to participate in the 2025 #BlackBalloonDay by releasing virtual balloons on March 6.
Overdose is a serious issue, but through education and community effort, we can prevent overdoses and save lives.
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Adams County Coalition for Overdose Awareness and Recovery (COAR) will gather at Lincoln Square in Gettysburg to honor those lost to overdose. During the event, they will provide free naloxone and a brief training on how to use it.
COAR will also offer virtual black balloons, allowing community members to write a loved one’s name, share a memory, or leave a message of hope for those in recovery.
Black Balloon Day began in Massachusetts in 2016 as a way for families to honor loved ones lost to overdose. What started as a local remembrance has since grown into a national and international movement, shining a light on the opioid crisis and commemorating those who have passed—individuals who were parents, spouses, children, and friends, deeply loved and missed.
Naloxone, an FDA-approved medication, can quickly reverse opioid overdoses—making it a lifesaving tool that belongs in every home’s first aid kit.
For more information about this event, COAR, or to anonymously obtain free naloxone, contact Lyric Gallagher at 717-752-2695. Visit www.overdosefreeadams.org or stop by the Center for Youth and Community Development offices at 233 W High Street, Gettysburg.