From the streets of Binghamton, to the National Mall, see how Trail of Truth has grown over the past eight years.
2016
After realizing Broome County was undercounting overdose deaths, the Trail of Truth was born out of a refusal to have our losses erased: an artistic vision to protest these oversights, while beautifully memorializing our loved ones.
The first Trail of Truth was held in Binghamton, New York. Community members marched memorial tombstones through the streets, before tenaciously planting them in front of the Broome County courthouse.
Tombstones: 56 | Attendance: 250
2017
The second commencement of Trail of Truth was attended by various local elected officials, and Executive Director of Friends of Recovery New York, Stephanie Campbell. Dakota Snedeker performed a song at the event regarding addiction and loss.
Tombstones: 101 | Attendance: 300
2018
In 2018, Trail of Truth became a regionally recognized and widely attended event.
We welcomed representatives from the End of Overdose New York Coalition, including New York State Director of Drug Policy Alliance, Kassandra Frederique. Frederique’s efforts are devoted to reducing the stigma of drug use in New York State, especially in Black and Brown communities. She was able to expand access to Medicated Assisted Treatment for individuals in need of methadone and buprenorphine treatment as an advisor on “The Ithaca Plan” of 2016.
Trail of Truth likewise welcomed in attendance a representative from the office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and a number of local elected officials, performance artists, and families of loved ones lost.
Tombstones: 109 | Attendance: 300
2019
In Trail of Truth’s 4th year, Binghamton’s Security Mutual Building and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel were lit up in purple throughout the month of August, in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day.
Internationally renowned photographer Nan Goldin, acclaimed speaker Kassandra Frederique, and author/activist LA Kauffman joined us to share their personal struggles with the opioid crisis, and compassionate work as activists fighting the epidemic.
Tombstones: 135 | Attendance: 400
2020
The Trail of Truth nearly halted in 2020 as a result of the spreading Covid-19 pandemic, but due to the negative impacts the pandemic was proving to have on overdose cases, the trail blazed on in order to support families who have lost loved ones to substance use related deaths. Overdose cases were steadily on the rise and care for those impacted by Substance Use Disorder worsened, and we could not let these impacts go unnoticed.
Trail of Truth carried on with careful consideration of all safety precautions and guidelines provided by the CDC for outdoor gatherings. Attendees were required to wear masks and seating was placed according to social distancing standards, and masks and hand sanitizer were provided in abundance.
Tombstones: 147 | Attendance: 150*
*Low attendance due to the Covid-19 Pandemic
2021
The Center for Disease Control estimated that in 2020, more than 93,000 lives were lost to fatal overdose, a 30% increase from the year prior. Broome County saw these surges in overdose within our own community since the onset of the pandemic, and in 2021, the Trail of Truth continued to honor those who have lost their lives.
Trail of Truth welcomed David Poses, author of The Weight of Air, a recovery memoir, in 2021.
Jess Tilley, co-founder of Harm Reduction Works and experienced organizer, also joined us alongside Marketa Edwards, harm reductionist and co-founder of the Community Rising Project, uplifting People of Color, especially those impacted by the justice system.
Trail of Truth welcomed back Nan Goldin as a guest, who donated a total $40,000 to support Truth Pharm’s advocacy work through print sales as an act of commitment to the cause.
Tombstones: 173 | Attendance: 150*
*Low attendance due to the Covid-19 Pandemic
2022
Over 1,000 loved ones were memorialized in our first ever national cemetery in Washington, D.C. 90+ partner organizations attended the event from 22 states across the country.
Local Tombstones: 215 | Attendance: 300
National Tombstones: 1100 | Attendance: 400