Columbia, SC – To honor the 184 residents of Richland and Lexington Counties who lost their lives to substance overdoses in 2025, LRADAC will once again host Black Balloon Day on Wednesday, March 6, from 10-11 am at LRADAC’s Lexington Office at 1068 South Lake Drive in Lexington County. With the total number of 2025 overdose fatalities at 184 (Richland County at 110 and Lexington County at 74), last year’s statistics reflect a slight increase from 2024, which had 183 overdose fatalities (Richland County at 90 and Lexington County at 93).
“LRADAC’s annual Black Balloon Day honors the friends, family members, and loved ones we have lost to substance misuse,” said Ashley Bodiford, LRADAC’s Director of Prevention. “While this is always a time for remembrance, it’s also an opportunity to share hope, resources, and practical steps that help prevent overdose and support recovery. Although we saw a slight increase in overdose numbers in 2025, the overall data reminds us how important it is to stay focused, work together, and continue expanding prevention and harm-reduction efforts across our community.”
The public is invited to attend Black Balloon Day to commemorate the lives lost to drug overdose in our community, honor their families and loved ones, and learn ways to prevent substance misuse and overdoses. Subject-matter experts will share current local data, emerging trends, and action steps our community can take moving forward to reduce overdose risk and support recovery. LRADAC’s prevention staff will also be on site to distribute free Narcan, a medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdose, along with Deterra, a safe at-home medication disposal system.
For more information about prevention, intervention, treatment, and withdrawal management, call LRADAC at 803-726-9330 or visit online at www.lradac.org.