CINCINNATI — Hundreds of crosses dot the garden outside Cincinnati’s Addiction Services Council, casting long, haunting shadows onto the grass.
Those who work for the council said about 350 names came from the Hamilton County quick response team and another 200 were reported by friends and family. Each represents a life lost to drug overdose.
For Sara Seiter, the director of client services at ASC, too many of the names ring familiar.
“Like this one here,” she said, walking toward one on the edge of the garden. “That’s Ashley. She was my sponsee sister. I got to stay with my sponsor as they carried her out.”
Nine years into recovery for alcohol addiction, Seiter said she understands better than most the toll substance-use disorder can have on anyone it touches.
“I get it from being the struggling alcoholic or addict, to make it into recovery to the family member where your loved one just can’t get sober,” she said.
It’s also the reason she believes it's so important to have places like ASC’s memorial garden and recognize events like Overdose Awareness Day.
“I think Friday,” she said, in reference ASC’s planned event. “It puts it into not just a statistic, but a name.”
On Aug. 26, ASC will mark International Overdose Awareness Day with a family-friendly event outside their center.
According to Lisa Mertz, the president and CEO, their second annual event has grown to overtake their parking lot and close off neighboring Linton Street.
“Last year’s, we didn’t have much time to plan,” she said. “So this year, we wanted it to be bigger.”
The event will feature representatives from more than 40 health providers and resources for those with substance-use disorder, or in need of prevention material like naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
It will also feature a petting zoo, bouncy house and carnival food for children to enjoy.
“It seems like it doesn’t go together,” Mertz said, but she believes fun is an important part of recognizing the impact of addiction. “The idea is to let those left behind from those that have died from addiction celebrate their lives.”
To her, the most important aspect of that is providing for the children who may have lost parents or other guardians.
“It hurts to see their families suffer,” she said.
In addition to the fun, visitors will also hear from speakers touched by addiction and loss, like Seiter.
“I’ve just lost so many people to overdose and drug-related deaths,” she said. “It’s not going anywhere; we’ve been battling drug addiction for years now, and the drugs just get stronger and different and the deaths just get more.”
According to Hamilton County Public Health, 119 people died from an accidental overdose so far this year, and last year, the county reached a four-year high, with 388 deaths.
Earlier this month, Seiter said she lost her brother, and the grief is still fresh for her. It's why she she believes it's important people understand the toll these deaths take and put their efforts toward prevention and long-term recovery solutions.
“God willing, I hope that they don’t have to be touched by it to know the exact meaning and how it affects you,” she said.
International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31.
ASC’s event will take place at 2828 Vernon Place, from 4-7 p.m.