Members of the Knoxville Police Department Drug Overdose Support Group honored loved ones lost to the opioid epidemic by setting up 182 purple crosses on Hill Ave. Saturday morning.
The memorial represents lives lost to overdoses this year in Knox County.
It's set up outside the City County Building.
Members of the Drug Overdose Support Group painted the crosses at an event at the end of July. They say that they want to prevent more overdoses, and remind people that those who died are more than just a number.
"I think more education, stricter laws against drug dealers and the pill pushers--anything, anything at this point that gets done has got to start decreasing these numbers," support group member Sharon Hajko said.
The group has also used their own money to buy shirts, bracelets and other supplies to help raise awareness about preventing future deaths.