Rockland County held its annual Rockland County Overdose Awareness Day Sunday to raise awareness and to erase the stigma that surrounds drug-related deaths.

The serene setting at Tallman Beach and Pool Club provided the backdrop for this year's event.

For many, the event offered a chance to learn more about addiction and the toll it takes on families.

Friends of Recovery Rockland's Caren Schwartz had a son who died of drug addiction in 2015.

Schwartz explained that the event is to remember and honor loved ones who died of drug addiction. She said that it's important to remember them for who they were and not for their substance abuses.

She said the event's goal is to also end the stigma and shame that's associated with substance abuse.

Friends of Recovery Rockland's Lori Katzman's son also died of an accidental overdose. She said he got a hold of drugs laced with fentanyl, which one drop of can kill.

At the end of the event, the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge was lit up in purple, the color of recovery.