TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A memorial wall to remember those lost to the drug epidemic in America and Kansas went up today at a Topeka non-profit. The Topeka Police Department has responded to 17 overdose deaths this year.
Community Resources Council now has a reminder of some of those lost to help stop more from happening.
The names of those lost to drug overdoses filled two banners. TK Fights Fentanyl Founder Amber Saale-Burger and her husband, Max, hung them on Monday at the CRC.
“This is Kaylee, this is our daughter,” Saale-Burger said, pointing to one of the banners. “We’re coming up on two years on the 25th of this month.”
The total number of overdose-related deaths in our area has decreased over the past 2 years. Topeka saw 45 deaths in 2023, and it dropped to 27 in 2024.
Riley County recorded 8 overdose deaths in 2023, which fell to 3 in 2024.
“They’re not just numbers, they’re people,” Saale-Burger said. “They are parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and friends.”
From save-a-life stations filled with Narcan and drug testing strips to educating others on the dangers of fentanyl, Saale-Burger started a non-profit to lower that number even more.
“Let’s us help you before it’s too late,” Saale-Burger said. “We don’t want to see any more of our community members on a banner or a name on a wall, we want to see them being productive.”
Saale-Burger chose CRC as the spot for their banners because of their assistance in getting their nonprofit started.
It’s awareness, with a message for those who walk by them.
“If you need help reach out,” Administrative Assistant Brianne Osborne-Ingram said. “There is a number of people that can help you in this building at any given point and if we aren’t the right person, we can help the person to help you.”
“The community can see this and they can be impacted by it,” Saale-Burger said. “This is affecting our city and it is affecting our community too.”
CRC is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. You can see the banner at 455 SE Golf Park Blvd until Aug. 20.
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