DUNKIRK, N.Y. — Aleyna Westling's father Ron Szot of Chautauqua County had struggled on and off with substance abuse issues for decades, and relapsed into addiction at the start of the pandemic in 2019 and 2020 after years of staying clean.
"When you're kind of isolated, you're thrown back to your home,” said Westling. “You are not able to socialize. You're not able to be a part of a society. You are left with your only devices.”
That device being alcohol.
Westling was one of many working to get him help, all while finishing her master’s degree and planning a wedding.
He was in and out of hospitals for months before he passed away. His body was found at home in September 2021; almost three years ago.
Westling says his body was under the stress of either having too much alcohol in his system or needing more. She says the coroner told her he was likely deceased in his home about two to four days before anyone found him.
"He was either drinking and he stopped and his body was saying, ‘I need more,’ or he didn't have the access to get it. He didn't have a vehicle," said Aleyna.
Szot was an active community leader — a lawyer and photographer who led a very public life while hiding his private struggles. It was an issue no one really wanted to admit to.
Westling says there is a stigma attached to the issue, which is why a lot of people dealing with addiction don't feel accepted and sweep their problem under the rug.
"This was my time to take his story, to take his legacy and do something with it," said Westling.
That something was taking part in Monday's weeklong kickoff to National Overdose Awareness Day, which takes place Saturday.
Local leaders and others gathered outside Dunkirk City Hall to raise awareness and gather support about prevention and resources for families of addiction.
"It's a global issue,” said Jennifer Larson, founder, Together We Can CHQ Initiative Coalition. “There's support out there for them. That we care about them. That we're in this together. And that's why the collective effort means so much to us.”
Local leaders are reporting progress in that the number of fatal overdoses in Chautauqua County are down more than 50% this year so far as compared to last.
In 2021, Chautauqua, Sullivan and Broome were among the counties with the highest overdose rate of part of the more than the 5,000 people who died in the state that year.
Buildings across the state like Dunkirk and Jamestown City Hall are lit in purple as a sign of compassion, solidarity and support.
"Let it be a beacon. A message to all that they are not alone,” said Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz. “Let us break down the barriers to treatment to a world where no one feels ashamed to ask for help.”
Like Szot, who died on Westling's first day on the job as a licensed mental health counselor with the county.
She works with people of all ages and gives them the help she got when she needed it most.
"I have talked to the stranger behind the desk who you think they just know it all,” she said. “I've been in your seat and I try to relate to them that way. This is me really trying to impact your life and show you that you're a 100% heard and validated in what you're going through.”
There are a number of events taking place across the state Saturday to recognize Overdose Awareness Day.
The state is also holding its fourth annual virtual Overdose Awareness Day, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.