By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Mayor Nancy R. Rossi is calling on all residents who have been affected by the opioid epidemic to hang a black balloon in front of their homes in observance of Black Balloon Day on Wednesday.
For the second year, Rossi has pledged West Haven’s commitment to recognizing the special day after its co-founder, Diane Hurley, of Peabody, Massachusetts, reached out to the mayor seeking the city’s participation. Hurley’s daughter, Lauren Hurley, is the other co-founder.
Lauren Hurley’s mission began March 6, 2016, after her brother-in-law, Greg Tremblay, a father of four, died of a drug overdose a year earlier.
Hurley’s brother, Sean Hurley, was also a drug addict but has been clean for more than a year.
In the wake of the family’s tragedy, she and her mother have joined forces in the war on drugs.
On Wednesday, the Hurleys are encouraging all West Haveners who have been impacted by drug addiction, including pain-reducing opioid medications, to hang a black balloon outside their homes.
At the request of Diane Hurley, city officials will also hang a black balloon on the steps of City Hall for each resident who has died of opioids. A prayer service will take place there at 10 a.m.
At least 24 residents died of opioids last year, said city Health Director Maureen B. Lillis, referencing a November 2018 report by the state Department of Public Health’s Office of Injury Prevention.
Hurley is encouraging the city’s police and fire departments to participate by hanging black balloons as well.
Rossi said West Haven’s participation is aimed at “shining a light on how the national public health crisis of opioid addiction affects us locally.”