Wall of Remembrance: Paying tribute to loved ones lost to the opioid crisis
The opioid crisis has affected families all across America
From Tenisha Karr:
"A year ago June 16 was a year since my mom 'left'. Well, part of her was gone after losing my brother...and eventually she discovered pain pills. Doctors all too eager to prescribe them had finally given her the means to numb her broken heart. I tried to make her see her pain was healing with pain pills.. Only numbing her to life, people and memories. Trying to help, be there, or just get her to love me more than her pills. And I thought that was trying times, now is just empty and alone. I left her house in tears, never got used to her stumbling and slurring. I came home that night and I begged, pleaded with God to help me, help her. She died of an accidental overdose sometime that night. We called for welfare check next morning.. I'll never forget the scene of cops, first responder's that day. I'll never forget that in two weeks there was a funeral, emptying her rental house.. going through her things, a life time of memories, losing the only parent I'd ever had.. and the time to process and grieve. it goes further than a state addiction. It's a STAY of addiction. Her blue eyes, her crooked smiles and sloppy kisses, my life as I knew it are all gone. This is what doctor's, pills took from me. She will never see me get married, she'll not give me away.From age 40 on in my life.. I'm totally on my own because she's won't see any of it. She wasn't 'just another addict' she was my world."
PHOTO: Tenisha Karr
From Patricia Kauth Franklin:
"Our story is the story of so many families. If you could reach out to the facebook site: GRASP (grief recovery after substance passing) you would see all the families that have lost. It is heartbreaking to continue to see / hear the stories of loss. My sons were talented musicians, I would like to send you a cd or video recorded if you would like. thank you
They were both so beautiful and talented. This is probably the last time they went fishing together. So glad I found the photos on his phone.
Eric M. Franklin, age 26, born 02/22/1986 - died 12/21/2012
Robert M. Franklin, age 24, born 11/10/1987 - died 04/22/2012"
PHOTO: Patricia Kauth Franklin
From Becky:
"Jacob Joseph Kallal
Forever 28
A Beautiful Soul. Jacob's love for family, friends and life will always be remembered."
PHOTO: Becky
From Becky:
"Steven 'Mark' Visnick
Forever 58.
A beautiful life lost to long term prescription pain pills"
PHOTO: Becky
From Gina Saccone:
"Mason McClaine, a 24yr old, was lost to this opioid epidemic October 7, 2016. This nightmare started after being in a motorcycle accident at age 17. My son had surgeries for his injuries, along with physical therapy, then complications which prolonged the healing process even longer. The entire time, I gave him the medication as prescribed by the physician for over a period of several months. I never thought that giving him his medication as prescribed would be the beginning of the end. As he healed and finally after a year he was able to go back to school which as he explained 'where he could get oxy in any class no problem.' Once oxy was made to be not abused like it was, was again another step to the end. The next best thing was heroin. Its been a horrific nightmare ever sense. My son was honest with me, and five years ago there was absolutely nothing in the form of information for help for heroine abuse. Most importantly you didn바카라 게임 웹사이트t speak of it. Socially, if you were upper middle class that was exactly was NEVER to be spoke of.
I searched and the only option was methadone. We saw a licensed physician, that specialized with this issue. He assured me and my son this was the way to get through this he said he would be put on Methadone once stable to an amount that he could cope with he would then gradually by reduced on his dosages and along with counseling would eventually be weaned from the Methadone. Three years later and the dosage 25mg to well over 110mg in the end was nothing close to drug management. This was NOTHING close to drug management this killed my son. He was worse than he was when he first started. He was never seen by a doctor for any increase as the policy is to only be seen by a doctor on intake. This doctor became my sons drug dealer. This doctor owned the clinic for which he only profited on continuing to feed my son Methadone and had no intention of reducing and providing maintenance for my son. If the Methadone clinics are to provide maintenance and work toward getting people off drugs, the why have the patients been going for 30-40years? Why is medi cal paying for this for this long? As a society are these people not worthy of anyone representing them and the best interests. Is it simply that Methadone Clinics have just become the legal way that an addict can go and get increases to the normal doses at any time without seeing a doctor? Why cant I get a prescription of fluoride tablets for my 4yrs old without seeing a doctor but my son could get increase after increase after increase of Methadone without seeing a doctor?? Why wont anyone help me? Why cant I get these questions answered?? I want answers !! This was my son my baby my life. The loss of my son has been crippling to our family. I miss my son every minute of every day."
PHOTO: gina saccone
From Kathleen Errico:
"At the age of 49 my husband and I are supposed to be planning for retirement. We are supposed to be talking about where we want to go, what we want to do, what it is going to be like to be empty nesters and possibly adopting a Great Dane from a rescue. That is no longer happening. Instead we now have to save for another college education, attend parent-teacher conferences, make arrangements for rides to school and extracurricular activities, attend birthday parties, plan birthday parties, pay for any sports that may be played and whatever else our 3 year old grandson (now legally son) may need. On April 2, 2016 my beautiful, vivacious, young, dry witted, deeply caring, loving, intelligent daughter, mother, sister, granddaughter, auntie, niece, cousin and friend passed away of an accidental overdose and died two days before her son Camden바카라 게임 웹사이트s 2nd birthday. She was 10 months clean, living in a program and finally getting herself together. She looked good, she felt good, her face had cleared up, she was more level headed and taking care of herself physically. Kelsey was supposed to move home in one month and we already had a plan in place. She wanted to return to school to finish her college education. She wanted to work to make money so she could be independent and raise her son. The plan was in place until one week prior to her death her x-boyfriend at the time talked her into shooting heroin again and the 10 months was down the drain. The problem was once she started again she couldn바카라 게임 웹사이트t stop. Exactly one week later to the day of when she relapsed she was dead leaving behind her son and her entire family. Just like that.
She was at home on a visit for the weekend with her son. She put him to bed and my husband and I went to dinner for a lousy 3 hours. I texted her the entire time and she said she was fine could her supposed friend Kim come over with her daughter and visit for a while. Thinking Kim was still in the program I said yes. When my husband and I returned home from our military dinner she spoke to us as if everything was fine. There was no way anyone could tell she had been shooting up while we were gone. She put Camden to bed and Kim brought her last fatal dose of drugs while we were out. Of course I assumed it was heroin but it was actually fentanyl, cocaine, other barbituates and a whole bunch of garbage. I said good night to her and woke out of a sound sleep at 3:45 am to find her slumped over dead in her sister바카라 게임 웹사이트s bed. I begged my husband to revive her and he tried at my request but we both knew she was gone.
This is very much a reader바카라 게임 웹사이트s digest of her story. I was brutally honest in her obituary about her accidental overdose. To this day I do not know why but it went viral. Not just over social media but her obituary and her eulogy which I wrote and read at her service had reached 5 different countries. I received so much outpouring of love and empathy that to this day 17 months later I still have not been able to answer all of the messages and letters and emails I received. If you google her name you will read everything you need to know about my precious, beautiful Kelsey.
We have legally adopted her son Camden and he has gone from grandson to legally our son. I however cannot bring myself to call him my son. He had a mother and I make sure he knows who she is and the cardinal that sings to him in the morning is his mamma Kelsey sending her love. I make sure he knows when the dragonflies visit that is mama Kelsey checking in on him. My husband and I will forever make sure he knew who his mother was and exactly how much he meant to her and how she loved him so very much. He will also know she didn바카라 게임 웹사이트t have a choice, that she had a brain disease that affected all of her decisions and although she fought so many battles in trying to get better from her disease, she was unable to win the war.
I have been speaking about Kelsey and her disease of substance use disorder or addiction since 36 days after she passed. I never wanted anyone to feel such agony as I do in the loss of a child or the loss of an opportunity to just be a Mimi and a Papa to their grandchild. My husband and I lost that when Kelsey passed. We will never be able to fill him up with sugar and return him to his mother; we will never be able to send him back because we are now the mother and father. Society needs to educate themselves about addiction and know that it is your next door neighbor바카라 게임 웹사이트s kid, it바카라 게임 웹사이트s your lawyers kid, it바카라 게임 웹사이트s your doctors kid, but most of all it can most certainly be YOUR kid. Don바카라 게임 웹사이트t be nieve.
Thank you for reporting on this epidemic that is taking the next generation one child at a time and for trying to be part of the solution."
PHOTO: Kathleen Errico
From Michele Fantasia on :
"Ashleigh Higson had the biggest heart, the best laugh and the kindest soul. Loved dearly and missed deeply. #organdonor"
PHOTO: Michele Fantasia
From Beverly Shaw-Kuhn on :
"Anthony (Tony) L Bishop died 10/15/2015 just 10 days after his 35th. birthday. He struggled with heroin addiction for years. Went to rehab for 13 months is 2006 then relapsed 9 years later and died. It all started when he was in high school. I had no idea! First it was pot, then came pills mixed with alcohol and when that wasn't enough he went to hard drugs & heroin. He had lost everything he had,his home, car, job, no phone, water, electric. When I finally found him he was sleeping on a bench outside of McDonalds in downtown Louisville, KY. I brought him home with me and tried my best to help him and thought I was getting through to him. He was good at keeping it hid from family. He actually got a job and seemed to be doing better with counseling. Then the one evening we left him alone, he overdosed. No I don't blame myself, but when you lose a child of any age it's difficult to cope. He was such a good kid always thinking of others. He was even an organ donor.
I love you Tony, ~Mom~"
PHOTO: Beverly Shaw-Kuhn
From Deborah Henry on :
"I lost my beautiful son October 4, 2016. He was 35. He died of heroin/fentynal overdose. I found my son deceased and continue to live with the pain of losing a child."
PHOTO: Deborah Henry
From Carol Gagner on :
"We lost our son 7/06/16. He was a son, brother uncle and a father of 5 year old twin boys."
PHOTO: Carol Gagner
From Tanya Bryant on :
"Willard Bryant, Jr. (BJ or Will), You were the best little brother to Tonnka and me and son to our parents. We miss you!"
PHOTO: Tanya Bryant
From Ann Marler on :
"Ryan, 1 of the most charming people I've ever known. Easily, you could cheer w/ him, 4 him, and know, he cheered 4 you!"
PHOTO: Ann Marler
From Ann Marler on :
"Chelsea, whose spirit was best confirmed in a burst of uncontainable laughter, loved and was loved by so many."
PHOTO: Ann Marler
From Molly Carroll, Sandwich, MA:
"Erica Long (5/17/89 - 7/11/17)
Erica was a beautiful, hilarious, intelligent young woman taken from us too soon. Pills were readily available in High School and she then "graduated" to Heroin, which she battled with for years. Our family was robbed, and Heroin was the thief. Not a day goes by that we don't think of her and smile."
PHOTO: Molly Carroll
From Michele Garcia-Simeroth on Facebook:
"My son Tyler Simeroth passed away 4-24-2016 at the age of 24 to a heroin overdose."
PHOTO: Michele Garcia-Simeroth
From Tim and Denise Williams:
"Ryan Williams 4/28/1985 to I/ 29/2015
Ryan was a loving son, brother and father.
Forever in our hearts."
PHOTO: Tim Williams
From Jeanette Marquez, Alburquerque, NM:
"I lost my son Paul Marquez on October 28, 2011 to a heroin overdose he was 19-years-old."
PHOTO: Jeanette Marquez
From Alaina Combs, Louisville KY:
"Sarah Panquita Brantly was a vibrant young mother of two who lost her life much too early due to an opiate overdose. Sarah, like a lot of people, struggled for many years with her addiction to opiates and other drugs.
Thankfully she did get some help in 2013 and was able to experience a healthy and happy life for a period of time before her relapse. Sarah was an excellent barber, one of the best here in Louisville, Kentucky. She left behind a young daughter Lilly and a little boy named Carter, who unfortunately will grow up without their beautiful mother. To me, that is the saddest part of the story.
I share her story to keep her memory alive for those children who will never fully understand this situation and know what an amazing person that Sarah was. Sarah was not a bad person trying to be good, she was a sick girl trying to get better. As a person in long term recovery and someone who got to see Sarah바카라 게임 웹사이트s struggle first hand, I try to do what I can to bring a positive light to all of the pain surrounding this nationwide epidemic.
In my opinion this is not only affecting the individuals who are addicted but it is also creating a generation of parentless children just like Lilly and Carter. I miss my friend and I will keep fighting the good fight in honor of her and the daily struggle so many are fighting."
PHOTO: Alaina Combs
From Shauna Vanhart:
"My youngest son, Richard Vanhart, was a loving and caring son, brother, grandson, and a father of a two-and-a-half year old boy. He would do anything for for anyone. He had a heart of gold."
PHOTO: Shauna Vanhart
From Kelly Hunter:
"Our oldest son, Travis (forever 25) died of a drug (Fentanyl) overdose on January 26, 2017.
Travis' smile could light up a room, he had a contagious laugh, quick wit, kind heart, very smart, handsome, and was a friend to everyone he met. We tried to help Travis every way we could.
An angel, Pastor Mark Swallow, agreed to meet Travis at our house to discuss a 12 month, residential, faith based recovery program, Fresh Start Ministries (FSM), located in Winter Park, FL. Through the grace of God, we were able to convince Travis to go.
On November 10, 2015, Travis entered FSM. Travis' smile returned to his face, he once again looked healthy, life returned to his eyes, regained self respect and respect for others, and was a true joy to be around. On November 10, 2016, Travis graduated from the Program and moved to Sober City (half-way housing affiliated with FSM). Travis was doing awesome.
And, then 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days later, 3 Brevard County Sheriff officers banged on our door at 11:20 pm to inform us that Travis had died.
I will be forever grateful to FSM for helping us get our son back and being granted 14.5 wonderful months with our son who was enjoying life drug-free.
We are still in shock and have no idea what or why this happened. We all believe it was his first time using drugs after becoming sober. We have no idea what he thought he was taking, but feel certain he had no idea it was 100% Fentanyl.
My goal is to stop the silence and end the stigma so families of loved ones struggling with drug addiction will feel safe reaching out for help and also hope the ones struggling with addiction will reach out for help. There are so many changes in our society that need to be made so we can once and for all end Addiction."
PHOTO: Kelly Hunter
From Stacy Antich Taylor:
"People want to know what happens. I'm openly sharing my tragedy to bring light to this epidemic that is killing our future.
My son Nick Antich was an A-B student who never got into trouble in school and never caused his father and I much trouble other than a few typical teenage issues. He had scored 130 on the IQ test by the 9th grade.
During his sophomore year he started dabbling in drugs. Nothing I would consider hard core drugs but never the less drugs. He was honest to a fault with me and I as his mother, preached not to screw with that stuff. As you know our kids at some point will do what they want. My boy was smart. He knew the dangers of drugs, so I never in my wildest dreams imagined anything serious was happening. I certainly never imagined or prepared myself for journey I was about to embark on.
An autopsy showed my showed my son died of cocaine, fentanyl and meth.
I hate drugs. They robbed my son of his life, they robbed Kasie Antich of her brother, they robbed me and Marc of a life time of happiness and grandchildren we will never have from our son. His wake was a testament to how loved he was with over 450 people attending. He had teachers from elementary through high school who he himself impacted and they came to share that. He just did not realize how much love there was for him in this life. I'm an emergency room nurse with the resources in place to to help my son and he used those resources. Even so i just could not save him, something I must learn to live with forever."
PHOTO: Stacy Antich Taylor
From Stacy Holland:
"I found out my son (who was 28 at time) was using drugs and had an addiction in January of 2016. I guess I really should have known before then. Being a mother you just want to believe anything but the worst.
I got the phone call that would forever change my life at 8:05 am on May 6, 2016. They said, "I went in to wake him up for work and he won't wake up. He's cold I think he's gone!"
My world as I knew it shattered. Also I found out through a text sometime after his death, that he told someone that this was it, just "one last time."
My son died of heroin and fentanyl. He was born December 6, 1987. He is forever 28. His name is Ryan Jackson and he is missed and loved beyond words."
PHOTO: Stacy Holland
From Melissa Magdic:
"I lost my nephew, Justin, September 11, 2016 from this disease.
My message to others is don바카라 게임 웹사이트t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help and never give up hope!"
PHOTO: Melissa Magdic
From @Jbay513 on :
"Mike Angel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Best friend, loving, caring person, good guy, great dad and uncle. His grandma hurts every day still."
PHOTO: @Jbay513
From Courtney on .
PHOTO: @RogersCourt80
From Ryan's Wings, Pittsburgh, PA:
"I lost my son, Ryan Pappa, at the age of 26 (7/2014). He overdosed on a drug called 'Opana.'
He wasn바카라 게임 웹사이트t a daily user, or even a weekly user, but we lost him all the same. People need to realize that their loved one doesn바카라 게임 웹사이트t necessarily need to hit rock bottom before talking about getting help. People also need to be educated and made aware of what is going on their communities.
I was naΓ―ve enough to believe that my son taking pills here and there was just this generation바카라 게임 웹사이트s 'drug of choice,' like marijuana in the '80s when I was in high school; cocaine was popular in the '90s 바카라 게임 웹사이트 yet we all survived our era of partying. This is a totally new demon, and we need to be made aware of how quickly people become addicted and we need to be educated on what signs to look for.
Because we lost Ryan so suddenly, it was very difficult for me to just accept that he overdosed and died for nothing. We started a nonprofit called "Ryan's Wings.' Our original mission was to raise money to help those who want and need help, but are financially unable, get into a rehab program. As we continue to try and raise money for this, we are finding that addiction is a hard subject in which to raise money because of the stigma associated with it.
We will not give up, but have found other ways that cost Ryan바카라 게임 웹사이트s Wings nothing but our time to help in the community. We have been asked to have a Ryan바카라 게임 웹사이트s Wings family resource table at the Town Hall meetings that are being held in the Pittsburgh area. We also have started a 6 Steps to Sanity support group. It's a faith based program for the parents, grandparents or spouses of the addict.
Addiction not only affects the addict, but it consumes the lives of the families involved. We talk about setting boundaries, how to stop enabling, how to get your life back and accept that you only have control over your own choices and decisions, not those of the addict.
We need to stop the stigma! Stop the judgments! We need to come together in this fight, as we are losing a whole generation of beautiful, smart, young adults! Is it a disease? Mental illness? Bad choice? I don바카라 게임 웹사이트t바카라 게임 웹사이트 know the answer, but I don바카라 게임 웹사이트t really care 바카라 게임 웹사이트 We can either step over the problem and move on with our lives, or stop and lend a hand and show some compassion."
PHOTO: Ryan's Wings
From Gayle Sexton:
"My son, Jacky Jones, died alone in December after being with another drug user all day. He was 22. He had struggled with heroin for five years but had been staying away from it, trying to get his life together. Jacky started using drugs, not from prescriptions but because he was bi polar and suffered from depression which was never properly treated. Doctors just prescribed psychotic drugs and antidepressants which never made a difference.
We are from the Pell City, Al. lake area. Jacky had a great life, he enjoyed traveling, archery, water sports and loved his family. He graduated from Pell City High School, then took college courses at Jeff State.
Most people never knew how he struggled both with depression and addiction. Outwardly he was outgoing and very funny. Addiction knows no socio economic boundaries and all addicts do not begin using from prescriptions.
He took part of my heart and his brother바카라 게임 웹사이트s heart with him when he took his last breath."
PHOTO: Gayle Sexton
From Dianne O'Connell (mom), Jeff O'Connell (father), and his older brother, Kit:
"Peter Gray O'Connell 3/14/91-3/24/16
He is missed terribly by his family and friends.
From Sandwich, MA (Cape Cod)"
PHOTO: Dianne O'Connell
From @micheshell52 on :
"Ryan Calabro , Dec 11 2014, friend of my son Danny."
PHOTO: @micheshell52
From Elizabeth Smith on :
"I lost my son Jonathan Michael Karales on March 28,2017 . He just turned 19 on January 15th. He was not an IV drug abuser nor did heroin . Jonathan was an all around athlete playing basketball , baseball , wrestling and football since kindergarten throughout his life . He loved to travel with his whole family and had the best sense of humor and bright smile . I am his mom and was called at work to find out from an emergency room doctor my son had passed away and to come to the emergency room immediately. I collapsed . My worst nightmare had only just started that evening . My Jonathan had snorted a line of cocaine but it was laced with fentanyl. I do not believe he was aware of this. This is the tragedy (of today's opioid crisis. I am left to mourn and so are his 3 younger sisters 10,9 and 19 months."
PHOTO: Patty Smith, Facebook
From Meri Hatch on :
"I lost my brother Eddie last June from an overdose . My heart is broken."
PHOTO: Meri Hetch
From Jontelle Bennett on :
"Kenneth Romero, father of 2. Heroine overdose. Died 6/1/1985."
PHOTO: Jontelle Bennett
From Ann Youngblood:
"Attached is a picture of my son Lance Eager who passed from an overdose on July 12, 2014. He was 3 weeks shy of his 21st birthday. He was also 90 days clean but was out with friends drinking and did not make a rational decision and used again which cost him the ultimate price.
Lance's struggle started at the age of 14, with marijuana, drinking and smoking cigarettes. It eventually progressed to pills and probably about a year before he passed we found out he was using heroin. I did not understand why he would choose this life over his family. I did not understand the disease of addiction either. Since he passed I have become an advocate for substance use. I have joined the Not My Child panel and started a fund with another mother that also lost a son. (The Lance and Ryan Fund LLC) we are working towards our 501c3 status. We are helping those struggling to get into rehab facilities or sober living houses by paying copays. We are working with other parents that have lost someone or are trying to get a loved one into treatment. This is our therapy and we know our boys would want us to do this.
My son was a beautiful, smart, goofy loving person that made a mistake. I want him to be remembered for that person not as a drug addict!!"
PHOTO: Anne Youngblood
From Sharon Bailey on :
"This is my son, Matthew Bailey. He passed away on September 7, 2012 from an accidental heroin overdose. He suffered from mental illness and substance use disorder for 7 years where he received every treatment possible for both. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.He was generous, kind, intelligent, loving and sensitive, to name just a fraction of his good qualities. He had many talents and abilities. He deserved a better life, and the world deserved him.
A friend and I are facilitating a grief support group (through a group called GRASP) in Augusta, Maine for those who have had losses due to substance use. It is our hope to help support those through grief and stigma.
I would like for my son's picture and story to be shared on the State of Addiction memorial wall."
PHOTO: Sharon Bailey
From Denise Labane on :
"I Lost my twin brother Denis passed away from an overdose of pain meds given to him from his Doctor. He had been addicted for years. The Doctor gave him morphine on Dec 31st 2014. My brother passed away on Jan 5th 2015. He had taken 38 tabs in 4 days. He should have only had 8. He always thought the more he took the better he would feel. My heart will be broken forever. I love and miss him terribly."
PHOTO: Denise Labane
From Wendy Barlass on :
"I lost my baby brother to a heroin overdose in 2004, he was a Sargent in the Military about to be deployed to Iraq, he owned his own home, he was a good and kind soul, not trying to say he was perfect or that he did not have his demons, but he was not a heroin addict, I guess what I am trying to say it can happen to anyone, It can take only that ONE time, he made bad choices and it cost him his life, 14 years later the pain of loosing him is as real to me today as is was then, gone, but NEVER forgotten RIP Bubba (July 20, 1976 - June 29, 2004)"
PHOTO: Wendy Barlass
From Pamela Anderson on :
"Jordan Gray Anderson
1/8/1990 - 4/30/2015
Jordan passed from a heroin overdose leaving behind myself, her mom, and her 19 year old brother 'Boogieman' as she called him. Jordan was an amazing, vibrant, outgoing person who had a laugh that turned all heads. She played soccer and was in the International Baccalaureate program, she was so smart. She loved her brother more than life itself. She lived and loved hard and deep. If she was your friend, she were blessed for life. Being clean and sober myself for 32 years, Jordan unfortunately got the disease of addiction as well. She struggled for years but did get clean 1/16/2014 and was able to live again, clean. She shined bright and tried so hard with every fiber in her. Unfortunately this drug called heroin had taken control and took her life. I am forever broken, never to be the same. Although I try and honor Jordan and carry her forward every day to help stop the stigma associated with heroin and addiction. She didn't grow up wanting to become an addict. It is not a moral failing or a character flaw. It is a deadly disease. Something to must be done to stop the epidemic."
PHOTO: Pamela Anderson
From Debbie Christie on :
"In loving memory of David Christie. 7-22-17. Beloved son, brother, daddy, and boyfriend. We miss you every day."
PHOTO: Debbie Christie
From Carl, Toni, John and Austin Torsch:
"Danny Torsch
6/9/86 - 12/3/10
On December 3rd, 2010 our lives changed forever when our son and brother died from an overdose. He was a smart, funny, easy going, take up for the underdog kind of guy, and gave great bear hugs. When Dannyboy was suffering in addiction for 7 years, we thought we were living in hell with him. We now know what hell really is because we have been living it every day since that devastating day."
PHOTO: Carl, Toni, John and Austin Torsch
From Lynn Wencus:
"Attached is a picture of my son, Jeff Wencus, who passed away on February 5, 2017, from an opioid overdose. I would like this picture to be included on the Wall of Remembrance."
PHOTO: Lynn Wencus
From Hazel Green McCaskill on :
"Dillon E. Williams died 3/20/2006 prescription drug overdose. This picture was taken 12 hours before he passed away. His last day was spent with our beautiful 2 year old daughter."
PHOTO: Hazel Green McCaskill
From Becky Nisbet Christian (on behalf of Noel Smith):
"On Aug 8, 2017 my husband John Smith Of Ga took his life over this addiction to opiates . He was a very loving father of 4 boys and husband . He was always smiling and is so missed by us all . God blessed us with him for 31 yrs but went home way to soon . I hope by speaking out about this it will bring attention to others to please never think it won바카라 게임 웹사이트t happen to you and your family and please reach out to get help never be ashamed to live . God Bless those going through this and their families." -Noel Smith, Chase (10), Brantley (7), Parker (6) and Hank (2)
PHOTO: Becky Nisbet Christian
Submission from email:
"Jonathan was a gifted student who received a full scholarship to college. He was interested in the arts and history and traveled to Canada, France, Italy, Israel and Greece as well as the United States from Hawaii to Massachusetts. He was an elite hockey player and played on several travel teams. He recently worked for Wyland, The Artist of the Sea, in Laguna Beach, Ca. He was a mentor to many and helped those in need. Jonathan was born on 7-21-1994 and died 2-10-2017. He accomplished quite a lot in his short 22 years of life. We miss him every day. We love you Jonathan and always will."
PHOTO: Levitt
From Faith Shirley:
"I lost my baby brother to addiction. He took the bad
ones with heroin and fentanyl. He left two twin boys two years old...Thanks for addressing this awful problem."
PHOTO: Faith Shirley
From Melinda Walker on :
"My son was always bearing up with whatever life brought his way."
PHOTO: Melinda Walker
From Mary Giroux바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"My son, Joshua Giroux lost his battle on October 24 2013 he was 24 and had been clean for 8 months.
We tried for years to get him treatment. His two sisters, and his brother miss him greatly as do I.
Please continue reporting, and raising awareness, so no more have to die. "
PHOTO: Mary Giroux바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Jason Fritz on :
"RIP Terry Fritz 12/20/87-10/1/14"
PHOTO: Jason Fritz
From jkesty on :
"beautiful daughter...lost her battle with Substance Use Disorder...10/19/12...miss you and love you forever, baby doll."
PHOTO: jkesty
From Sandra Godfrey on :
"Please place my son's name on your memory wall. He was loved. Son, husband and father. Bradley Glenn Godfrey."
PHOTO: Sandra Godfrey
From Dennis Renfrow on :
"Kyle Renfrow beloved son 27 years old lost January 2017"
PHOTO: Dennis Renfrow
From Brave Choices바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Robby, We miss you everyday and we fight this epidemic in your memory so other families don't have to live this nightmare"
PHOTO: Brave Choices바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Castro on :
"Heroin took my baby brother in 2014, He is loved and missed everyday. He was only 25. I love you dearly, James J. Hensley"
PHOTO: Castro
From Mary Ellen Cooper on :
"Missing my beautiful nephew Derek who lost his battle 12/14/16. We love you & miss you beyond words."
PHOTO: Mary Ellen Cooper
From Dawna Gauthier바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"We are burying my nephew Monday September 18, 2017. His addictions started with prescription drugs. RIP "
PHOTO: Dawna Gauthier바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Danielle on :
"12.6.94 - 11.23.15 on Thanksgiving this year will mark 2 years since my brother passed from heroin addiction. My angel"
PHOTO: Danielle바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Tina Kelly on :
"My firstborn daughter
Amber Lynne Kemme
3/9/83 - 7/22/2015
Miss her every single minute every single day"
PHOTO: Tina Kelly
From Susan Biggs on :
"This is my daughter Jen Smith. Taken way too soon! We miss you so very much! Beautiful daughter and mother to your boys."
PHOTO: Susan Biggs
From Kara Joy on :
"10 years to long"
PHOTO: Kara Joy
From Lavender Blue바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Taken by Heroin- our beautiful boys in Iowa. Stigma kills...open your eyes and your heart and help stop the epidemic!"
PHOTO: Lavender Blue바카라 게임 웹사이트
From JoLynn Baker Seagriff on :
" Forever 22Heroin stole the brightest soul! Heroin stole his future! Heroin stole all his tomorrow's from our entire family! His siblings lost their friend. I lost my son Forever! Our lives forever changed by what some call a choice! Thank you WTAE for shining a light on what we've been fighting against for years! Our lives Shattered by addiction Forever Changed.His light Forever snuffed out by heroin overdose on November 23, 2016We won't let them forget!"
PHOTO: JoLynn Baker Seagriff
From Stephanie Seutter on :
"Two weeks ago my family lost a part of our hearts. Houston Thomas Jewell, 21 years was not long enough to love you.
PHOTO: stephanie seutter
From Laurie Hauck바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"My beautiful, kind, loving daughter Courtney. She left 2 babies motherless on 03/06/17"
PHOTO: Laurie Hauck바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Anissa Makris바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Todd Christopher Smith, Best gift God gave me+best friend+daddy
Just U+me Ma!
Soul's teether2U feels heavenly pull daily"
PHOTO: Anissa Makris바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Seamar Fennell on :
"Beautiful soul taken by the mercy and forgiveness on your soul John Patrick Casey"
PHOTO: Seamar Fennell
From Debbie Cope Williams바카라 게임 웹사이트 from :
"Heroin stole the promising future of our beautiful, full of life daughter Jessica Williams at 22. Heartbreaking."
PHOTO: Debbie Cope Williams바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Anne Valerio on :
"Our Mikey. So full of life, talent and love. He was an avid disc golf player and musician, majoring in Music Performance for trumpet. We miss his beautiful smile, music and big hugs. Prayers to all fighting this disease. We won't give up. Gone too soon."
PHOTO: Anne Valerio
From Michelle Lynn on :
"Lost the love of my life, my children's beautiful father on 8/5/2017. A son. A brother. An uncle. A cousin. A nephew. Full of love but his addiction took over..Addiction destroys families..πͺπͺ. He's forever in our hearts."
PHOTO: Michelle Lynn
From Dan Yancey on :
"miss my son David every day. Forever 23. 8/8/88-5/27/2012"
PHOTO: Dan Yancey
From Douglas Prevost on :
"Lost him last Sunday morning. 36 year old wonderful Son. Please help as he was full of loyalty and love for so many sons like himself that are the possible next lost life. you will not be forgotten. Lovya"
PHOTO: Douglas Prevost
From Julie Ressler:
"My beautiful son, H. Joseph Ressler III"
PHOTO: Julie Ressler
From Toireasa Nickerson:
"I lost my son on November 25, 2013 from an accidental OD.
The desperation of this disease knows no bounds. It has taken the most important person in my life. My son. Keith. It has twisted and cataclysmically ruined my entire life. His daughters and wife's life.
I miss my baby boy every minute of everyday. I will forever be in recovery from this disease that has rocked the bottom depths of my blackend soul."
PHOTO: Toireasa Nickerson
From Tenisha Karr:
"A year ago June 16 was a year since my mom 'left'. Well, part of her was gone after losing my brother...and eventually she discovered pain pills. Doctors all too eager to prescribe them had finally given her the means to numb her broken heart. I tried to make her see her pain was healing with pain pills.. Only numbing her to life, people and memories. Trying to help, be there, or just get her to love me more than her pills. And I thought that was trying times, now is just empty and alone. I left her house in tears, never got used to her stumbling and slurring. I came home that night and I begged, pleaded with God to help me, help her. She died of an accidental overdose sometime that night. We called for welfare check next morning.. I'll never forget the scene of cops, first responder's that day. I'll never forget that in two weeks there was a funeral, emptying her rental house.. going through her things, a life time of memories, losing the only parent I'd ever had.. and the time to process and grieve. it goes further than a state addiction. It's a STAY of addiction. Her blue eyes, her crooked smiles and sloppy kisses, my life as I knew it are all gone. This is what doctor's, pills took from me. She will never see me get married, she'll not give me away.From age 40 on in my life.. I'm totally on my own because she's won't see any of it. She wasn't 'just another addict' she was my world."
PHOTO: Tenisha Karr
From Patricia Kauth Franklin:
"Our story is the story of so many families. If you could reach out to the facebook site: GRASP (grief recovery after substance passing) you would see all the families that have lost. It is heartbreaking to continue to see / hear the stories of loss. My sons were talented musicians, I would like to send you a cd or video recorded if you would like. thank you
They were both so beautiful and talented. This is probably the last time they went fishing together. So glad I found the photos on his phone.
Eric M. Franklin, age 26, born 02/22/1986 - died 12/21/2012
Robert M. Franklin, age 24, born 11/10/1987 - died 04/22/2012"
PHOTO: Patricia Kauth Franklin
From Becky:
"Jacob Joseph Kallal
Forever 28
A Beautiful Soul. Jacob's love for family, friends and life will always be remembered."
PHOTO: Becky
From Becky:
"Steven 'Mark' Visnick
Forever 58.
A beautiful life lost to long term prescription pain pills"
PHOTO: Becky
From Gina Saccone:
"Mason McClaine, a 24yr old, was lost to this opioid epidemic October 7, 2016. This nightmare started after being in a motorcycle accident at age 17. My son had surgeries for his injuries, along with physical therapy, then complications which prolonged the healing process even longer. The entire time, I gave him the medication as prescribed by the physician for over a period of several months. I never thought that giving him his medication as prescribed would be the beginning of the end. As he healed and finally after a year he was able to go back to school which as he explained 'where he could get oxy in any class no problem.' Once oxy was made to be not abused like it was, was again another step to the end. The next best thing was heroin. Its been a horrific nightmare ever sense. My son was honest with me, and five years ago there was absolutely nothing in the form of information for help for heroine abuse. Most importantly you didn바카라 게임 웹사이트t speak of it. Socially, if you were upper middle class that was exactly was NEVER to be spoke of.
I searched and the only option was methadone. We saw a licensed physician, that specialized with this issue. He assured me and my son this was the way to get through this he said he would be put on Methadone once stable to an amount that he could cope with he would then gradually by reduced on his dosages and along with counseling would eventually be weaned from the Methadone. Three years later and the dosage 25mg to well over 110mg in the end was nothing close to drug management. This was NOTHING close to drug management this killed my son. He was worse than he was when he first started. He was never seen by a doctor for any increase as the policy is to only be seen by a doctor on intake. This doctor became my sons drug dealer. This doctor owned the clinic for which he only profited on continuing to feed my son Methadone and had no intention of reducing and providing maintenance for my son. If the Methadone clinics are to provide maintenance and work toward getting people off drugs, the why have the patients been going for 30-40years? Why is medi cal paying for this for this long? As a society are these people not worthy of anyone representing them and the best interests. Is it simply that Methadone Clinics have just become the legal way that an addict can go and get increases to the normal doses at any time without seeing a doctor? Why cant I get a prescription of fluoride tablets for my 4yrs old without seeing a doctor but my son could get increase after increase after increase of Methadone without seeing a doctor?? Why wont anyone help me? Why cant I get these questions answered?? I want answers !! This was my son my baby my life. The loss of my son has been crippling to our family. I miss my son every minute of every day."
PHOTO: gina saccone
From Kathleen Errico:
"At the age of 49 my husband and I are supposed to be planning for retirement. We are supposed to be talking about where we want to go, what we want to do, what it is going to be like to be empty nesters and possibly adopting a Great Dane from a rescue. That is no longer happening. Instead we now have to save for another college education, attend parent-teacher conferences, make arrangements for rides to school and extracurricular activities, attend birthday parties, plan birthday parties, pay for any sports that may be played and whatever else our 3 year old grandson (now legally son) may need. On April 2, 2016 my beautiful, vivacious, young, dry witted, deeply caring, loving, intelligent daughter, mother, sister, granddaughter, auntie, niece, cousin and friend passed away of an accidental overdose and died two days before her son Camden바카라 게임 웹사이트s 2nd birthday. She was 10 months clean, living in a program and finally getting herself together. She looked good, she felt good, her face had cleared up, she was more level headed and taking care of herself physically. Kelsey was supposed to move home in one month and we already had a plan in place. She wanted to return to school to finish her college education. She wanted to work to make money so she could be independent and raise her son. The plan was in place until one week prior to her death her x-boyfriend at the time talked her into shooting heroin again and the 10 months was down the drain. The problem was once she started again she couldn바카라 게임 웹사이트t stop. Exactly one week later to the day of when she relapsed she was dead leaving behind her son and her entire family. Just like that.
She was at home on a visit for the weekend with her son. She put him to bed and my husband and I went to dinner for a lousy 3 hours. I texted her the entire time and she said she was fine could her supposed friend Kim come over with her daughter and visit for a while. Thinking Kim was still in the program I said yes. When my husband and I returned home from our military dinner she spoke to us as if everything was fine. There was no way anyone could tell she had been shooting up while we were gone. She put Camden to bed and Kim brought her last fatal dose of drugs while we were out. Of course I assumed it was heroin but it was actually fentanyl, cocaine, other barbituates and a whole bunch of garbage. I said good night to her and woke out of a sound sleep at 3:45 am to find her slumped over dead in her sister바카라 게임 웹사이트s bed. I begged my husband to revive her and he tried at my request but we both knew she was gone.
This is very much a reader바카라 게임 웹사이트s digest of her story. I was brutally honest in her obituary about her accidental overdose. To this day I do not know why but it went viral. Not just over social media but her obituary and her eulogy which I wrote and read at her service had reached 5 different countries. I received so much outpouring of love and empathy that to this day 17 months later I still have not been able to answer all of the messages and letters and emails I received. If you google her name you will read everything you need to know about my precious, beautiful Kelsey.
We have legally adopted her son Camden and he has gone from grandson to legally our son. I however cannot bring myself to call him my son. He had a mother and I make sure he knows who she is and the cardinal that sings to him in the morning is his mamma Kelsey sending her love. I make sure he knows when the dragonflies visit that is mama Kelsey checking in on him. My husband and I will forever make sure he knew who his mother was and exactly how much he meant to her and how she loved him so very much. He will also know she didn바카라 게임 웹사이트t have a choice, that she had a brain disease that affected all of her decisions and although she fought so many battles in trying to get better from her disease, she was unable to win the war.
I have been speaking about Kelsey and her disease of substance use disorder or addiction since 36 days after she passed. I never wanted anyone to feel such agony as I do in the loss of a child or the loss of an opportunity to just be a Mimi and a Papa to their grandchild. My husband and I lost that when Kelsey passed. We will never be able to fill him up with sugar and return him to his mother; we will never be able to send him back because we are now the mother and father. Society needs to educate themselves about addiction and know that it is your next door neighbor바카라 게임 웹사이트s kid, it바카라 게임 웹사이트s your lawyers kid, it바카라 게임 웹사이트s your doctors kid, but most of all it can most certainly be YOUR kid. Don바카라 게임 웹사이트t be nieve.
Thank you for reporting on this epidemic that is taking the next generation one child at a time and for trying to be part of the solution."
PHOTO: Kathleen Errico
From Michele Fantasia on :
"Ashleigh Higson had the biggest heart, the best laugh and the kindest soul. Loved dearly and missed deeply. #organdonor"
PHOTO: Michele Fantasia
From Beverly Shaw-Kuhn on :
"Anthony (Tony) L Bishop died 10/15/2015 just 10 days after his 35th. birthday. He struggled with heroin addiction for years. Went to rehab for 13 months is 2006 then relapsed 9 years later and died. It all started when he was in high school. I had no idea! First it was pot, then came pills mixed with alcohol and when that wasn't enough he went to hard drugs & heroin. He had lost everything he had,his home, car, job, no phone, water, electric. When I finally found him he was sleeping on a bench outside of McDonalds in downtown Louisville, KY. I brought him home with me and tried my best to help him and thought I was getting through to him. He was good at keeping it hid from family. He actually got a job and seemed to be doing better with counseling. Then the one evening we left him alone, he overdosed. No I don't blame myself, but when you lose a child of any age it's difficult to cope. He was such a good kid always thinking of others. He was even an organ donor.
I love you Tony, ~Mom~"
PHOTO: Beverly Shaw-Kuhn
From Deborah Henry on :
"I lost my beautiful son October 4, 2016. He was 35. He died of heroin/fentynal overdose. I found my son deceased and continue to live with the pain of losing a child."
PHOTO: Deborah Henry
From Carol Gagner on :
"We lost our son 7/06/16. He was a son, brother uncle and a father of 5 year old twin boys."
PHOTO: Carol Gagner
From Tanya Bryant on :
"Willard Bryant, Jr. (BJ or Will), You were the best little brother to Tonnka and me and son to our parents. We miss you!"
PHOTO: Tanya Bryant
From Ann Marler on :
"Ryan, 1 of the most charming people I've ever known. Easily, you could cheer w/ him, 4 him, and know, he cheered 4 you!"
PHOTO: Ann Marler
From Ann Marler on :
"Chelsea, whose spirit was best confirmed in a burst of uncontainable laughter, loved and was loved by so many."
PHOTO: Ann Marler
From Molly Carroll, Sandwich, MA:
"Erica Long (5/17/89 - 7/11/17)
Erica was a beautiful, hilarious, intelligent young woman taken from us too soon. Pills were readily available in High School and she then "graduated" to Heroin, which she battled with for years. Our family was robbed, and Heroin was the thief. Not a day goes by that we don't think of her and smile."
PHOTO: Molly Carroll
From Michele Garcia-Simeroth on Facebook:
"My son Tyler Simeroth passed away 4-24-2016 at the age of 24 to a heroin overdose."
PHOTO: Michele Garcia-Simeroth
From Tim and Denise Williams:
"Ryan Williams 4/28/1985 to I/ 29/2015
Ryan was a loving son, brother and father.
Forever in our hearts."
PHOTO: Tim Williams
From Jeanette Marquez, Alburquerque, NM:
"I lost my son Paul Marquez on October 28, 2011 to a heroin overdose he was 19-years-old."
PHOTO: Jeanette Marquez
From Alaina Combs, Louisville KY:
"Sarah Panquita Brantly was a vibrant young mother of two who lost her life much too early due to an opiate overdose. Sarah, like a lot of people, struggled for many years with her addiction to opiates and other drugs.
Thankfully she did get some help in 2013 and was able to experience a healthy and happy life for a period of time before her relapse. Sarah was an excellent barber, one of the best here in Louisville, Kentucky. She left behind a young daughter Lilly and a little boy named Carter, who unfortunately will grow up without their beautiful mother. To me, that is the saddest part of the story.
I share her story to keep her memory alive for those children who will never fully understand this situation and know what an amazing person that Sarah was. Sarah was not a bad person trying to be good, she was a sick girl trying to get better. As a person in long term recovery and someone who got to see Sarah바카라 게임 웹사이트s struggle first hand, I try to do what I can to bring a positive light to all of the pain surrounding this nationwide epidemic.
In my opinion this is not only affecting the individuals who are addicted but it is also creating a generation of parentless children just like Lilly and Carter. I miss my friend and I will keep fighting the good fight in honor of her and the daily struggle so many are fighting."
PHOTO: Alaina Combs
From Shauna Vanhart:
"My youngest son, Richard Vanhart, was a loving and caring son, brother, grandson, and a father of a two-and-a-half year old boy. He would do anything for for anyone. He had a heart of gold."
PHOTO: Shauna Vanhart
From Kelly Hunter:
"Our oldest son, Travis (forever 25) died of a drug (Fentanyl) overdose on January 26, 2017.
Travis' smile could light up a room, he had a contagious laugh, quick wit, kind heart, very smart, handsome, and was a friend to everyone he met. We tried to help Travis every way we could.
An angel, Pastor Mark Swallow, agreed to meet Travis at our house to discuss a 12 month, residential, faith based recovery program, Fresh Start Ministries (FSM), located in Winter Park, FL. Through the grace of God, we were able to convince Travis to go.
On November 10, 2015, Travis entered FSM. Travis' smile returned to his face, he once again looked healthy, life returned to his eyes, regained self respect and respect for others, and was a true joy to be around. On November 10, 2016, Travis graduated from the Program and moved to Sober City (half-way housing affiliated with FSM). Travis was doing awesome.
And, then 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days later, 3 Brevard County Sheriff officers banged on our door at 11:20 pm to inform us that Travis had died.
I will be forever grateful to FSM for helping us get our son back and being granted 14.5 wonderful months with our son who was enjoying life drug-free.
We are still in shock and have no idea what or why this happened. We all believe it was his first time using drugs after becoming sober. We have no idea what he thought he was taking, but feel certain he had no idea it was 100% Fentanyl.
My goal is to stop the silence and end the stigma so families of loved ones struggling with drug addiction will feel safe reaching out for help and also hope the ones struggling with addiction will reach out for help. There are so many changes in our society that need to be made so we can once and for all end Addiction."
PHOTO: Kelly Hunter
From Stacy Antich Taylor:
"People want to know what happens. I'm openly sharing my tragedy to bring light to this epidemic that is killing our future.
My son Nick Antich was an A-B student who never got into trouble in school and never caused his father and I much trouble other than a few typical teenage issues. He had scored 130 on the IQ test by the 9th grade.
During his sophomore year he started dabbling in drugs. Nothing I would consider hard core drugs but never the less drugs. He was honest to a fault with me and I as his mother, preached not to screw with that stuff. As you know our kids at some point will do what they want. My boy was smart. He knew the dangers of drugs, so I never in my wildest dreams imagined anything serious was happening. I certainly never imagined or prepared myself for journey I was about to embark on.
An autopsy showed my showed my son died of cocaine, fentanyl and meth.
I hate drugs. They robbed my son of his life, they robbed Kasie Antich of her brother, they robbed me and Marc of a life time of happiness and grandchildren we will never have from our son. His wake was a testament to how loved he was with over 450 people attending. He had teachers from elementary through high school who he himself impacted and they came to share that. He just did not realize how much love there was for him in this life. I'm an emergency room nurse with the resources in place to to help my son and he used those resources. Even so i just could not save him, something I must learn to live with forever."
PHOTO: Stacy Antich Taylor
From Stacy Holland:
"I found out my son (who was 28 at time) was using drugs and had an addiction in January of 2016. I guess I really should have known before then. Being a mother you just want to believe anything but the worst.
I got the phone call that would forever change my life at 8:05 am on May 6, 2016. They said, "I went in to wake him up for work and he won't wake up. He's cold I think he's gone!"
My world as I knew it shattered. Also I found out through a text sometime after his death, that he told someone that this was it, just "one last time."
My son died of heroin and fentanyl. He was born December 6, 1987. He is forever 28. His name is Ryan Jackson and he is missed and loved beyond words."
PHOTO: Stacy Holland
From Melissa Magdic:
"I lost my nephew, Justin, September 11, 2016 from this disease.
My message to others is don바카라 게임 웹사이트t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help and never give up hope!"
PHOTO: Melissa Magdic
From @Jbay513 on :
"Mike Angel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Best friend, loving, caring person, good guy, great dad and uncle. His grandma hurts every day still."
PHOTO: @Jbay513
From Courtney on .
PHOTO: @RogersCourt80
From Ryan's Wings, Pittsburgh, PA:
"I lost my son, Ryan Pappa, at the age of 26 (7/2014). He overdosed on a drug called 'Opana.'
He wasn바카라 게임 웹사이트t a daily user, or even a weekly user, but we lost him all the same. People need to realize that their loved one doesn바카라 게임 웹사이트t necessarily need to hit rock bottom before talking about getting help. People also need to be educated and made aware of what is going on their communities.
I was naΓ―ve enough to believe that my son taking pills here and there was just this generation바카라 게임 웹사이트s 'drug of choice,' like marijuana in the '80s when I was in high school; cocaine was popular in the '90s 바카라 게임 웹사이트 yet we all survived our era of partying. This is a totally new demon, and we need to be made aware of how quickly people become addicted and we need to be educated on what signs to look for.
Because we lost Ryan so suddenly, it was very difficult for me to just accept that he overdosed and died for nothing. We started a nonprofit called "Ryan's Wings.' Our original mission was to raise money to help those who want and need help, but are financially unable, get into a rehab program. As we continue to try and raise money for this, we are finding that addiction is a hard subject in which to raise money because of the stigma associated with it.
We will not give up, but have found other ways that cost Ryan바카라 게임 웹사이트s Wings nothing but our time to help in the community. We have been asked to have a Ryan바카라 게임 웹사이트s Wings family resource table at the Town Hall meetings that are being held in the Pittsburgh area. We also have started a 6 Steps to Sanity support group. It's a faith based program for the parents, grandparents or spouses of the addict.
Addiction not only affects the addict, but it consumes the lives of the families involved. We talk about setting boundaries, how to stop enabling, how to get your life back and accept that you only have control over your own choices and decisions, not those of the addict.
We need to stop the stigma! Stop the judgments! We need to come together in this fight, as we are losing a whole generation of beautiful, smart, young adults! Is it a disease? Mental illness? Bad choice? I don바카라 게임 웹사이트t바카라 게임 웹사이트 know the answer, but I don바카라 게임 웹사이트t really care 바카라 게임 웹사이트 We can either step over the problem and move on with our lives, or stop and lend a hand and show some compassion."
PHOTO: Ryan's Wings
From Gayle Sexton:
"My son, Jacky Jones, died alone in December after being with another drug user all day. He was 22. He had struggled with heroin for five years but had been staying away from it, trying to get his life together. Jacky started using drugs, not from prescriptions but because he was bi polar and suffered from depression which was never properly treated. Doctors just prescribed psychotic drugs and antidepressants which never made a difference.
We are from the Pell City, Al. lake area. Jacky had a great life, he enjoyed traveling, archery, water sports and loved his family. He graduated from Pell City High School, then took college courses at Jeff State.
Most people never knew how he struggled both with depression and addiction. Outwardly he was outgoing and very funny. Addiction knows no socio economic boundaries and all addicts do not begin using from prescriptions.
He took part of my heart and his brother바카라 게임 웹사이트s heart with him when he took his last breath."
PHOTO: Gayle Sexton
From Dianne O'Connell (mom), Jeff O'Connell (father), and his older brother, Kit:
"Peter Gray O'Connell 3/14/91-3/24/16
He is missed terribly by his family and friends.
From Sandwich, MA (Cape Cod)"
PHOTO: Dianne O'Connell
From @micheshell52 on :
"Ryan Calabro , Dec 11 2014, friend of my son Danny."
PHOTO: @micheshell52
From Elizabeth Smith on :
"I lost my son Jonathan Michael Karales on March 28,2017 . He just turned 19 on January 15th. He was not an IV drug abuser nor did heroin . Jonathan was an all around athlete playing basketball , baseball , wrestling and football since kindergarten throughout his life . He loved to travel with his whole family and had the best sense of humor and bright smile . I am his mom and was called at work to find out from an emergency room doctor my son had passed away and to come to the emergency room immediately. I collapsed . My worst nightmare had only just started that evening . My Jonathan had snorted a line of cocaine but it was laced with fentanyl. I do not believe he was aware of this. This is the tragedy (of today's opioid crisis. I am left to mourn and so are his 3 younger sisters 10,9 and 19 months."
PHOTO: Patty Smith, Facebook
From Meri Hatch on :
"I lost my brother Eddie last June from an overdose . My heart is broken."
PHOTO: Meri Hetch
From Jontelle Bennett on :
"Kenneth Romero, father of 2. Heroine overdose. Died 6/1/1985."
PHOTO: Jontelle Bennett
From Ann Youngblood:
"Attached is a picture of my son Lance Eager who passed from an overdose on July 12, 2014. He was 3 weeks shy of his 21st birthday. He was also 90 days clean but was out with friends drinking and did not make a rational decision and used again which cost him the ultimate price.
Lance's struggle started at the age of 14, with marijuana, drinking and smoking cigarettes. It eventually progressed to pills and probably about a year before he passed we found out he was using heroin. I did not understand why he would choose this life over his family. I did not understand the disease of addiction either. Since he passed I have become an advocate for substance use. I have joined the Not My Child panel and started a fund with another mother that also lost a son. (The Lance and Ryan Fund LLC) we are working towards our 501c3 status. We are helping those struggling to get into rehab facilities or sober living houses by paying copays. We are working with other parents that have lost someone or are trying to get a loved one into treatment. This is our therapy and we know our boys would want us to do this.
My son was a beautiful, smart, goofy loving person that made a mistake. I want him to be remembered for that person not as a drug addict!!"
PHOTO: Anne Youngblood
From Sharon Bailey on :
"This is my son, Matthew Bailey. He passed away on September 7, 2012 from an accidental heroin overdose. He suffered from mental illness and substance use disorder for 7 years where he received every treatment possible for both. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.He was generous, kind, intelligent, loving and sensitive, to name just a fraction of his good qualities. He had many talents and abilities. He deserved a better life, and the world deserved him.
A friend and I are facilitating a grief support group (through a group called GRASP) in Augusta, Maine for those who have had losses due to substance use. It is our hope to help support those through grief and stigma.
I would like for my son's picture and story to be shared on the State of Addiction memorial wall."
PHOTO: Sharon Bailey
From Denise Labane on :
"I Lost my twin brother Denis passed away from an overdose of pain meds given to him from his Doctor. He had been addicted for years. The Doctor gave him morphine on Dec 31st 2014. My brother passed away on Jan 5th 2015. He had taken 38 tabs in 4 days. He should have only had 8. He always thought the more he took the better he would feel. My heart will be broken forever. I love and miss him terribly."
PHOTO: Denise Labane
From Wendy Barlass on :
"I lost my baby brother to a heroin overdose in 2004, he was a Sargent in the Military about to be deployed to Iraq, he owned his own home, he was a good and kind soul, not trying to say he was perfect or that he did not have his demons, but he was not a heroin addict, I guess what I am trying to say it can happen to anyone, It can take only that ONE time, he made bad choices and it cost him his life, 14 years later the pain of loosing him is as real to me today as is was then, gone, but NEVER forgotten RIP Bubba (July 20, 1976 - June 29, 2004)"
PHOTO: Wendy Barlass
From Pamela Anderson on :
"Jordan Gray Anderson
1/8/1990 - 4/30/2015
Jordan passed from a heroin overdose leaving behind myself, her mom, and her 19 year old brother 'Boogieman' as she called him. Jordan was an amazing, vibrant, outgoing person who had a laugh that turned all heads. She played soccer and was in the International Baccalaureate program, she was so smart. She loved her brother more than life itself. She lived and loved hard and deep. If she was your friend, she were blessed for life. Being clean and sober myself for 32 years, Jordan unfortunately got the disease of addiction as well. She struggled for years but did get clean 1/16/2014 and was able to live again, clean. She shined bright and tried so hard with every fiber in her. Unfortunately this drug called heroin had taken control and took her life. I am forever broken, never to be the same. Although I try and honor Jordan and carry her forward every day to help stop the stigma associated with heroin and addiction. She didn't grow up wanting to become an addict. It is not a moral failing or a character flaw. It is a deadly disease. Something to must be done to stop the epidemic."
PHOTO: Pamela Anderson
From Debbie Christie on :
"In loving memory of David Christie. 7-22-17. Beloved son, brother, daddy, and boyfriend. We miss you every day."
PHOTO: Debbie Christie
From Carl, Toni, John and Austin Torsch:
"Danny Torsch
6/9/86 - 12/3/10
On December 3rd, 2010 our lives changed forever when our son and brother died from an overdose. He was a smart, funny, easy going, take up for the underdog kind of guy, and gave great bear hugs. When Dannyboy was suffering in addiction for 7 years, we thought we were living in hell with him. We now know what hell really is because we have been living it every day since that devastating day."
PHOTO: Carl, Toni, John and Austin Torsch
From Lynn Wencus:
"Attached is a picture of my son, Jeff Wencus, who passed away on February 5, 2017, from an opioid overdose. I would like this picture to be included on the Wall of Remembrance."
PHOTO: Lynn Wencus
From Hazel Green McCaskill on :
"Dillon E. Williams died 3/20/2006 prescription drug overdose. This picture was taken 12 hours before he passed away. His last day was spent with our beautiful 2 year old daughter."
PHOTO: Hazel Green McCaskill
From Becky Nisbet Christian (on behalf of Noel Smith):
"On Aug 8, 2017 my husband John Smith Of Ga took his life over this addiction to opiates . He was a very loving father of 4 boys and husband . He was always smiling and is so missed by us all . God blessed us with him for 31 yrs but went home way to soon . I hope by speaking out about this it will bring attention to others to please never think it won바카라 게임 웹사이트t happen to you and your family and please reach out to get help never be ashamed to live . God Bless those going through this and their families." -Noel Smith, Chase (10), Brantley (7), Parker (6) and Hank (2)
PHOTO: Becky Nisbet Christian
Submission from email:
"Jonathan was a gifted student who received a full scholarship to college. He was interested in the arts and history and traveled to Canada, France, Italy, Israel and Greece as well as the United States from Hawaii to Massachusetts. He was an elite hockey player and played on several travel teams. He recently worked for Wyland, The Artist of the Sea, in Laguna Beach, Ca. He was a mentor to many and helped those in need. Jonathan was born on 7-21-1994 and died 2-10-2017. He accomplished quite a lot in his short 22 years of life. We miss him every day. We love you Jonathan and always will."
PHOTO: Levitt
From Faith Shirley:
"I lost my baby brother to addiction. He took the bad
ones with heroin and fentanyl. He left two twin boys two years old...Thanks for addressing this awful problem."
PHOTO: Faith Shirley
From Melinda Walker on :
"My son was always bearing up with whatever life brought his way."
PHOTO: Melinda Walker
From Mary Giroux바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"My son, Joshua Giroux lost his battle on October 24 2013 he was 24 and had been clean for 8 months.
We tried for years to get him treatment. His two sisters, and his brother miss him greatly as do I.
Please continue reporting, and raising awareness, so no more have to die. "
PHOTO: Mary Giroux바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Jason Fritz on :
"RIP Terry Fritz 12/20/87-10/1/14"
PHOTO: Jason Fritz
From jkesty on :
"beautiful daughter...lost her battle with Substance Use Disorder...10/19/12...miss you and love you forever, baby doll."
PHOTO: jkesty
From Sandra Godfrey on :
"Please place my son's name on your memory wall. He was loved. Son, husband and father. Bradley Glenn Godfrey."
PHOTO: Sandra Godfrey
From Dennis Renfrow on :
"Kyle Renfrow beloved son 27 years old lost January 2017"
PHOTO: Dennis Renfrow
From Brave Choices바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Robby, We miss you everyday and we fight this epidemic in your memory so other families don't have to live this nightmare"
PHOTO: Brave Choices바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Castro on :
"Heroin took my baby brother in 2014, He is loved and missed everyday. He was only 25. I love you dearly, James J. Hensley"
PHOTO: Castro
From Mary Ellen Cooper on :
"Missing my beautiful nephew Derek who lost his battle 12/14/16. We love you & miss you beyond words."
PHOTO: Mary Ellen Cooper
From Dawna Gauthier바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"We are burying my nephew Monday September 18, 2017. His addictions started with prescription drugs. RIP "
PHOTO: Dawna Gauthier바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Danielle on :
"12.6.94 - 11.23.15 on Thanksgiving this year will mark 2 years since my brother passed from heroin addiction. My angel"
PHOTO: Danielle바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Tina Kelly on :
"My firstborn daughter
Amber Lynne Kemme
3/9/83 - 7/22/2015
Miss her every single minute every single day"
PHOTO: Tina Kelly
From Susan Biggs on :
"This is my daughter Jen Smith. Taken way too soon! We miss you so very much! Beautiful daughter and mother to your boys."
PHOTO: Susan Biggs
From Kara Joy on :
"10 years to long"
PHOTO: Kara Joy
From Lavender Blue바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Taken by Heroin- our beautiful boys in Iowa. Stigma kills...open your eyes and your heart and help stop the epidemic!"
PHOTO: Lavender Blue바카라 게임 웹사이트
From JoLynn Baker Seagriff on :
" Forever 22Heroin stole the brightest soul! Heroin stole his future! Heroin stole all his tomorrow's from our entire family! His siblings lost their friend. I lost my son Forever! Our lives forever changed by what some call a choice! Thank you WTAE for shining a light on what we've been fighting against for years! Our lives Shattered by addiction Forever Changed.His light Forever snuffed out by heroin overdose on November 23, 2016We won't let them forget!"
PHOTO: JoLynn Baker Seagriff
From Stephanie Seutter on :
"Two weeks ago my family lost a part of our hearts. Houston Thomas Jewell, 21 years was not long enough to love you.
PHOTO: stephanie seutter
From Laurie Hauck바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"My beautiful, kind, loving daughter Courtney. She left 2 babies motherless on 03/06/17"
PHOTO: Laurie Hauck바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Anissa Makris바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Todd Christopher Smith, Best gift God gave me+best friend+daddy
Just U+me Ma!
Soul's teether2U feels heavenly pull daily"
PHOTO: Anissa Makris바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Seamar Fennell on :
"Beautiful soul taken by the mercy and forgiveness on your soul John Patrick Casey"
PHOTO: Seamar Fennell
From Debbie Cope Williams바카라 게임 웹사이트 from :
"Heroin stole the promising future of our beautiful, full of life daughter Jessica Williams at 22. Heartbreaking."
PHOTO: Debbie Cope Williams바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Anne Valerio on :
"Our Mikey. So full of life, talent and love. He was an avid disc golf player and musician, majoring in Music Performance for trumpet. We miss his beautiful smile, music and big hugs. Prayers to all fighting this disease. We won't give up. Gone too soon."
PHOTO: Anne Valerio
From Michelle Lynn on :
"Lost the love of my life, my children's beautiful father on 8/5/2017. A son. A brother. An uncle. A cousin. A nephew. Full of love but his addiction took over..Addiction destroys families..πͺπͺ. He's forever in our hearts."
PHOTO: Michelle Lynn
From Dan Yancey on :
"miss my son David every day. Forever 23. 8/8/88-5/27/2012"
PHOTO: Dan Yancey
From Douglas Prevost on :
"Lost him last Sunday morning. 36 year old wonderful Son. Please help as he was full of loyalty and love for so many sons like himself that are the possible next lost life. you will not be forgotten. Lovya"
PHOTO: Douglas Prevost
From Julie Ressler:
"My beautiful son, H. Joseph Ressler III"
PHOTO: Julie Ressler
From Toireasa Nickerson:
"I lost my son on November 25, 2013 from an accidental OD.
The desperation of this disease knows no bounds. It has taken the most important person in my life. My son. Keith. It has twisted and cataclysmically ruined my entire life. His daughters and wife's life.
I miss my baby boy every minute of everyday. I will forever be in recovery from this disease that has rocked the bottom depths of my blackend soul."
PHOTO: Toireasa Nickerson
From Tenisha Karr:
"A year ago June 16 was a year since my mom 'left'. Well, part of her was gone after losing my brother...and eventually she discovered pain pills. Doctors all too eager to prescribe them had finally given her the means to numb her broken heart. I tried to make her see her pain was healing with pain pills.. Only numbing her to life, people and memories. Trying to help, be there, or just get her to love me more than her pills. And I thought that was trying times, now is just empty and alone. I left her house in tears, never got used to her stumbling and slurring. I came home that night and I begged, pleaded with God to help me, help her. She died of an accidental overdose sometime that night. We called for welfare check next morning.. I'll never forget the scene of cops, first responder's that day. I'll never forget that in two weeks there was a funeral, emptying her rental house.. going through her things, a life time of memories, losing the only parent I'd ever had.. and the time to process and grieve. it goes further than a state addiction. It's a STAY of addiction. Her blue eyes, her crooked smiles and sloppy kisses, my life as I knew it are all gone. This is what doctor's, pills took from me. She will never see me get married, she'll not give me away.From age 40 on in my life.. I'm totally on my own because she's won't see any of it. She wasn't 'just another addict' she was my world."
PHOTO: Tenisha Karr
From Patricia Kauth Franklin:
"Our story is the story of so many families. If you could reach out to the facebook site: GRASP (grief recovery after substance passing) you would see all the families that have lost. It is heartbreaking to continue to see / hear the stories of loss. My sons were talented musicians, I would like to send you a cd or video recorded if you would like. thank you
They were both so beautiful and talented. This is probably the last time they went fishing together. So glad I found the photos on his phone.
Eric M. Franklin, age 26, born 02/22/1986 - died 12/21/2012
Robert M. Franklin, age 24, born 11/10/1987 - died 04/22/2012"
PHOTO: Patricia Kauth Franklin
From Becky:
"Jacob Joseph Kallal
Forever 28
A Beautiful Soul. Jacob's love for family, friends and life will always be remembered."
PHOTO: Becky
From Becky:
"Steven 'Mark' Visnick
Forever 58.
A beautiful life lost to long term prescription pain pills"
PHOTO: Becky
From Gina Saccone:
"Mason McClaine, a 24yr old, was lost to this opioid epidemic October 7, 2016. This nightmare started after being in a motorcycle accident at age 17. My son had surgeries for his injuries, along with physical therapy, then complications which prolonged the healing process even longer. The entire time, I gave him the medication as prescribed by the physician for over a period of several months. I never thought that giving him his medication as prescribed would be the beginning of the end. As he healed and finally after a year he was able to go back to school which as he explained 'where he could get oxy in any class no problem.' Once oxy was made to be not abused like it was, was again another step to the end. The next best thing was heroin. Its been a horrific nightmare ever sense. My son was honest with me, and five years ago there was absolutely nothing in the form of information for help for heroine abuse. Most importantly you didn바카라 게임 웹사이트t speak of it. Socially, if you were upper middle class that was exactly was NEVER to be spoke of.
I searched and the only option was methadone. We saw a licensed physician, that specialized with this issue. He assured me and my son this was the way to get through this he said he would be put on Methadone once stable to an amount that he could cope with he would then gradually by reduced on his dosages and along with counseling would eventually be weaned from the Methadone. Three years later and the dosage 25mg to well over 110mg in the end was nothing close to drug management. This was NOTHING close to drug management this killed my son. He was worse than he was when he first started. He was never seen by a doctor for any increase as the policy is to only be seen by a doctor on intake. This doctor became my sons drug dealer. This doctor owned the clinic for which he only profited on continuing to feed my son Methadone and had no intention of reducing and providing maintenance for my son. If the Methadone clinics are to provide maintenance and work toward getting people off drugs, the why have the patients been going for 30-40years? Why is medi cal paying for this for this long? As a society are these people not worthy of anyone representing them and the best interests. Is it simply that Methadone Clinics have just become the legal way that an addict can go and get increases to the normal doses at any time without seeing a doctor? Why cant I get a prescription of fluoride tablets for my 4yrs old without seeing a doctor but my son could get increase after increase after increase of Methadone without seeing a doctor?? Why wont anyone help me? Why cant I get these questions answered?? I want answers !! This was my son my baby my life. The loss of my son has been crippling to our family. I miss my son every minute of every day."
PHOTO: gina saccone
From Kathleen Errico:
"At the age of 49 my husband and I are supposed to be planning for retirement. We are supposed to be talking about where we want to go, what we want to do, what it is going to be like to be empty nesters and possibly adopting a Great Dane from a rescue. That is no longer happening. Instead we now have to save for another college education, attend parent-teacher conferences, make arrangements for rides to school and extracurricular activities, attend birthday parties, plan birthday parties, pay for any sports that may be played and whatever else our 3 year old grandson (now legally son) may need. On April 2, 2016 my beautiful, vivacious, young, dry witted, deeply caring, loving, intelligent daughter, mother, sister, granddaughter, auntie, niece, cousin and friend passed away of an accidental overdose and died two days before her son Camden바카라 게임 웹사이트s 2nd birthday. She was 10 months clean, living in a program and finally getting herself together. She looked good, she felt good, her face had cleared up, she was more level headed and taking care of herself physically. Kelsey was supposed to move home in one month and we already had a plan in place. She wanted to return to school to finish her college education. She wanted to work to make money so she could be independent and raise her son. The plan was in place until one week prior to her death her x-boyfriend at the time talked her into shooting heroin again and the 10 months was down the drain. The problem was once she started again she couldn바카라 게임 웹사이트t stop. Exactly one week later to the day of when she relapsed she was dead leaving behind her son and her entire family. Just like that.
She was at home on a visit for the weekend with her son. She put him to bed and my husband and I went to dinner for a lousy 3 hours. I texted her the entire time and she said she was fine could her supposed friend Kim come over with her daughter and visit for a while. Thinking Kim was still in the program I said yes. When my husband and I returned home from our military dinner she spoke to us as if everything was fine. There was no way anyone could tell she had been shooting up while we were gone. She put Camden to bed and Kim brought her last fatal dose of drugs while we were out. Of course I assumed it was heroin but it was actually fentanyl, cocaine, other barbituates and a whole bunch of garbage. I said good night to her and woke out of a sound sleep at 3:45 am to find her slumped over dead in her sister바카라 게임 웹사이트s bed. I begged my husband to revive her and he tried at my request but we both knew she was gone.
This is very much a reader바카라 게임 웹사이트s digest of her story. I was brutally honest in her obituary about her accidental overdose. To this day I do not know why but it went viral. Not just over social media but her obituary and her eulogy which I wrote and read at her service had reached 5 different countries. I received so much outpouring of love and empathy that to this day 17 months later I still have not been able to answer all of the messages and letters and emails I received. If you google her name you will read everything you need to know about my precious, beautiful Kelsey.
We have legally adopted her son Camden and he has gone from grandson to legally our son. I however cannot bring myself to call him my son. He had a mother and I make sure he knows who she is and the cardinal that sings to him in the morning is his mamma Kelsey sending her love. I make sure he knows when the dragonflies visit that is mama Kelsey checking in on him. My husband and I will forever make sure he knew who his mother was and exactly how much he meant to her and how she loved him so very much. He will also know she didn바카라 게임 웹사이트t have a choice, that she had a brain disease that affected all of her decisions and although she fought so many battles in trying to get better from her disease, she was unable to win the war.
I have been speaking about Kelsey and her disease of substance use disorder or addiction since 36 days after she passed. I never wanted anyone to feel such agony as I do in the loss of a child or the loss of an opportunity to just be a Mimi and a Papa to their grandchild. My husband and I lost that when Kelsey passed. We will never be able to fill him up with sugar and return him to his mother; we will never be able to send him back because we are now the mother and father. Society needs to educate themselves about addiction and know that it is your next door neighbor바카라 게임 웹사이트s kid, it바카라 게임 웹사이트s your lawyers kid, it바카라 게임 웹사이트s your doctors kid, but most of all it can most certainly be YOUR kid. Don바카라 게임 웹사이트t be nieve.
Thank you for reporting on this epidemic that is taking the next generation one child at a time and for trying to be part of the solution."
PHOTO: Kathleen Errico
From Michele Fantasia on :
"Ashleigh Higson had the biggest heart, the best laugh and the kindest soul. Loved dearly and missed deeply. #organdonor"
PHOTO: Michele Fantasia
From Beverly Shaw-Kuhn on :
"Anthony (Tony) L Bishop died 10/15/2015 just 10 days after his 35th. birthday. He struggled with heroin addiction for years. Went to rehab for 13 months is 2006 then relapsed 9 years later and died. It all started when he was in high school. I had no idea! First it was pot, then came pills mixed with alcohol and when that wasn't enough he went to hard drugs & heroin. He had lost everything he had,his home, car, job, no phone, water, electric. When I finally found him he was sleeping on a bench outside of McDonalds in downtown Louisville, KY. I brought him home with me and tried my best to help him and thought I was getting through to him. He was good at keeping it hid from family. He actually got a job and seemed to be doing better with counseling. Then the one evening we left him alone, he overdosed. No I don't blame myself, but when you lose a child of any age it's difficult to cope. He was such a good kid always thinking of others. He was even an organ donor.
I love you Tony, ~Mom~"
PHOTO: Beverly Shaw-Kuhn
From Deborah Henry on :
"I lost my beautiful son October 4, 2016. He was 35. He died of heroin/fentynal overdose. I found my son deceased and continue to live with the pain of losing a child."
PHOTO: Deborah Henry
From Carol Gagner on :
"We lost our son 7/06/16. He was a son, brother uncle and a father of 5 year old twin boys."
PHOTO: Carol Gagner
From Tanya Bryant on :
"Willard Bryant, Jr. (BJ or Will), You were the best little brother to Tonnka and me and son to our parents. We miss you!"
PHOTO: Tanya Bryant
From Ann Marler on :
"Ryan, 1 of the most charming people I've ever known. Easily, you could cheer w/ him, 4 him, and know, he cheered 4 you!"
PHOTO: Ann Marler
From Ann Marler on :
"Chelsea, whose spirit was best confirmed in a burst of uncontainable laughter, loved and was loved by so many."
PHOTO: Ann Marler
From Molly Carroll, Sandwich, MA:
"Erica Long (5/17/89 - 7/11/17)
Erica was a beautiful, hilarious, intelligent young woman taken from us too soon. Pills were readily available in High School and she then "graduated" to Heroin, which she battled with for years. Our family was robbed, and Heroin was the thief. Not a day goes by that we don't think of her and smile."
PHOTO: Molly Carroll
From Michele Garcia-Simeroth on Facebook:
"My son Tyler Simeroth passed away 4-24-2016 at the age of 24 to a heroin overdose."
PHOTO: Michele Garcia-Simeroth
From Tim and Denise Williams:
"Ryan Williams 4/28/1985 to I/ 29/2015
Ryan was a loving son, brother and father.
Forever in our hearts."
PHOTO: Tim Williams
From Jeanette Marquez, Alburquerque, NM:
"I lost my son Paul Marquez on October 28, 2011 to a heroin overdose he was 19-years-old."
PHOTO: Jeanette Marquez
From Alaina Combs, Louisville KY:
"Sarah Panquita Brantly was a vibrant young mother of two who lost her life much too early due to an opiate overdose. Sarah, like a lot of people, struggled for many years with her addiction to opiates and other drugs.
Thankfully she did get some help in 2013 and was able to experience a healthy and happy life for a period of time before her relapse. Sarah was an excellent barber, one of the best here in Louisville, Kentucky. She left behind a young daughter Lilly and a little boy named Carter, who unfortunately will grow up without their beautiful mother. To me, that is the saddest part of the story.
I share her story to keep her memory alive for those children who will never fully understand this situation and know what an amazing person that Sarah was. Sarah was not a bad person trying to be good, she was a sick girl trying to get better. As a person in long term recovery and someone who got to see Sarah바카라 게임 웹사이트s struggle first hand, I try to do what I can to bring a positive light to all of the pain surrounding this nationwide epidemic.
In my opinion this is not only affecting the individuals who are addicted but it is also creating a generation of parentless children just like Lilly and Carter. I miss my friend and I will keep fighting the good fight in honor of her and the daily struggle so many are fighting."
PHOTO: Alaina Combs
From Shauna Vanhart:
"My youngest son, Richard Vanhart, was a loving and caring son, brother, grandson, and a father of a two-and-a-half year old boy. He would do anything for for anyone. He had a heart of gold."
PHOTO: Shauna Vanhart
From Kelly Hunter:
"Our oldest son, Travis (forever 25) died of a drug (Fentanyl) overdose on January 26, 2017.
Travis' smile could light up a room, he had a contagious laugh, quick wit, kind heart, very smart, handsome, and was a friend to everyone he met. We tried to help Travis every way we could.
An angel, Pastor Mark Swallow, agreed to meet Travis at our house to discuss a 12 month, residential, faith based recovery program, Fresh Start Ministries (FSM), located in Winter Park, FL. Through the grace of God, we were able to convince Travis to go.
On November 10, 2015, Travis entered FSM. Travis' smile returned to his face, he once again looked healthy, life returned to his eyes, regained self respect and respect for others, and was a true joy to be around. On November 10, 2016, Travis graduated from the Program and moved to Sober City (half-way housing affiliated with FSM). Travis was doing awesome.
And, then 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days later, 3 Brevard County Sheriff officers banged on our door at 11:20 pm to inform us that Travis had died.
I will be forever grateful to FSM for helping us get our son back and being granted 14.5 wonderful months with our son who was enjoying life drug-free.
We are still in shock and have no idea what or why this happened. We all believe it was his first time using drugs after becoming sober. We have no idea what he thought he was taking, but feel certain he had no idea it was 100% Fentanyl.
My goal is to stop the silence and end the stigma so families of loved ones struggling with drug addiction will feel safe reaching out for help and also hope the ones struggling with addiction will reach out for help. There are so many changes in our society that need to be made so we can once and for all end Addiction."
PHOTO: Kelly Hunter
From Stacy Antich Taylor:
"People want to know what happens. I'm openly sharing my tragedy to bring light to this epidemic that is killing our future.
My son Nick Antich was an A-B student who never got into trouble in school and never caused his father and I much trouble other than a few typical teenage issues. He had scored 130 on the IQ test by the 9th grade.
During his sophomore year he started dabbling in drugs. Nothing I would consider hard core drugs but never the less drugs. He was honest to a fault with me and I as his mother, preached not to screw with that stuff. As you know our kids at some point will do what they want. My boy was smart. He knew the dangers of drugs, so I never in my wildest dreams imagined anything serious was happening. I certainly never imagined or prepared myself for journey I was about to embark on.
An autopsy showed my showed my son died of cocaine, fentanyl and meth.
I hate drugs. They robbed my son of his life, they robbed Kasie Antich of her brother, they robbed me and Marc of a life time of happiness and grandchildren we will never have from our son. His wake was a testament to how loved he was with over 450 people attending. He had teachers from elementary through high school who he himself impacted and they came to share that. He just did not realize how much love there was for him in this life. I'm an emergency room nurse with the resources in place to to help my son and he used those resources. Even so i just could not save him, something I must learn to live with forever."
PHOTO: Stacy Antich Taylor
From Stacy Holland:
"I found out my son (who was 28 at time) was using drugs and had an addiction in January of 2016. I guess I really should have known before then. Being a mother you just want to believe anything but the worst.
I got the phone call that would forever change my life at 8:05 am on May 6, 2016. They said, "I went in to wake him up for work and he won't wake up. He's cold I think he's gone!"
My world as I knew it shattered. Also I found out through a text sometime after his death, that he told someone that this was it, just "one last time."
My son died of heroin and fentanyl. He was born December 6, 1987. He is forever 28. His name is Ryan Jackson and he is missed and loved beyond words."
PHOTO: Stacy Holland
From Melissa Magdic:
"I lost my nephew, Justin, September 11, 2016 from this disease.
My message to others is don바카라 게임 웹사이트t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help and never give up hope!"
PHOTO: Melissa Magdic
From @Jbay513 on :
"Mike Angel, Cincinnati, Ohio. Best friend, loving, caring person, good guy, great dad and uncle. His grandma hurts every day still."
PHOTO: @Jbay513
From Courtney on .
PHOTO: @RogersCourt80
From Ryan's Wings, Pittsburgh, PA:
"I lost my son, Ryan Pappa, at the age of 26 (7/2014). He overdosed on a drug called 'Opana.'
He wasn바카라 게임 웹사이트t a daily user, or even a weekly user, but we lost him all the same. People need to realize that their loved one doesn바카라 게임 웹사이트t necessarily need to hit rock bottom before talking about getting help. People also need to be educated and made aware of what is going on their communities.
I was naΓ―ve enough to believe that my son taking pills here and there was just this generation바카라 게임 웹사이트s 'drug of choice,' like marijuana in the '80s when I was in high school; cocaine was popular in the '90s 바카라 게임 웹사이트 yet we all survived our era of partying. This is a totally new demon, and we need to be made aware of how quickly people become addicted and we need to be educated on what signs to look for.
Because we lost Ryan so suddenly, it was very difficult for me to just accept that he overdosed and died for nothing. We started a nonprofit called "Ryan's Wings.' Our original mission was to raise money to help those who want and need help, but are financially unable, get into a rehab program. As we continue to try and raise money for this, we are finding that addiction is a hard subject in which to raise money because of the stigma associated with it.
We will not give up, but have found other ways that cost Ryan바카라 게임 웹사이트s Wings nothing but our time to help in the community. We have been asked to have a Ryan바카라 게임 웹사이트s Wings family resource table at the Town Hall meetings that are being held in the Pittsburgh area. We also have started a 6 Steps to Sanity support group. It's a faith based program for the parents, grandparents or spouses of the addict.
Addiction not only affects the addict, but it consumes the lives of the families involved. We talk about setting boundaries, how to stop enabling, how to get your life back and accept that you only have control over your own choices and decisions, not those of the addict.
We need to stop the stigma! Stop the judgments! We need to come together in this fight, as we are losing a whole generation of beautiful, smart, young adults! Is it a disease? Mental illness? Bad choice? I don바카라 게임 웹사이트t바카라 게임 웹사이트 know the answer, but I don바카라 게임 웹사이트t really care 바카라 게임 웹사이트 We can either step over the problem and move on with our lives, or stop and lend a hand and show some compassion."
PHOTO: Ryan's Wings
From Gayle Sexton:
"My son, Jacky Jones, died alone in December after being with another drug user all day. He was 22. He had struggled with heroin for five years but had been staying away from it, trying to get his life together. Jacky started using drugs, not from prescriptions but because he was bi polar and suffered from depression which was never properly treated. Doctors just prescribed psychotic drugs and antidepressants which never made a difference.
We are from the Pell City, Al. lake area. Jacky had a great life, he enjoyed traveling, archery, water sports and loved his family. He graduated from Pell City High School, then took college courses at Jeff State.
Most people never knew how he struggled both with depression and addiction. Outwardly he was outgoing and very funny. Addiction knows no socio economic boundaries and all addicts do not begin using from prescriptions.
He took part of my heart and his brother바카라 게임 웹사이트s heart with him when he took his last breath."
PHOTO: Gayle Sexton
From Dianne O'Connell (mom), Jeff O'Connell (father), and his older brother, Kit:
"Peter Gray O'Connell 3/14/91-3/24/16
He is missed terribly by his family and friends.
From Sandwich, MA (Cape Cod)"
PHOTO: Dianne O'Connell
From @micheshell52 on :
"Ryan Calabro , Dec 11 2014, friend of my son Danny."
PHOTO: @micheshell52
From Elizabeth Smith on :
"I lost my son Jonathan Michael Karales on March 28,2017 . He just turned 19 on January 15th. He was not an IV drug abuser nor did heroin . Jonathan was an all around athlete playing basketball , baseball , wrestling and football since kindergarten throughout his life . He loved to travel with his whole family and had the best sense of humor and bright smile . I am his mom and was called at work to find out from an emergency room doctor my son had passed away and to come to the emergency room immediately. I collapsed . My worst nightmare had only just started that evening . My Jonathan had snorted a line of cocaine but it was laced with fentanyl. I do not believe he was aware of this. This is the tragedy (of today's opioid crisis. I am left to mourn and so are his 3 younger sisters 10,9 and 19 months."
PHOTO: Patty Smith, Facebook
From Meri Hatch on :
"I lost my brother Eddie last June from an overdose . My heart is broken."
PHOTO: Meri Hetch
From Jontelle Bennett on :
"Kenneth Romero, father of 2. Heroine overdose. Died 6/1/1985."
PHOTO: Jontelle Bennett
From Ann Youngblood:
"Attached is a picture of my son Lance Eager who passed from an overdose on July 12, 2014. He was 3 weeks shy of his 21st birthday. He was also 90 days clean but was out with friends drinking and did not make a rational decision and used again which cost him the ultimate price.
Lance's struggle started at the age of 14, with marijuana, drinking and smoking cigarettes. It eventually progressed to pills and probably about a year before he passed we found out he was using heroin. I did not understand why he would choose this life over his family. I did not understand the disease of addiction either. Since he passed I have become an advocate for substance use. I have joined the Not My Child panel and started a fund with another mother that also lost a son. (The Lance and Ryan Fund LLC) we are working towards our 501c3 status. We are helping those struggling to get into rehab facilities or sober living houses by paying copays. We are working with other parents that have lost someone or are trying to get a loved one into treatment. This is our therapy and we know our boys would want us to do this.
My son was a beautiful, smart, goofy loving person that made a mistake. I want him to be remembered for that person not as a drug addict!!"
PHOTO: Anne Youngblood
From Sharon Bailey on :
"This is my son, Matthew Bailey. He passed away on September 7, 2012 from an accidental heroin overdose. He suffered from mental illness and substance use disorder for 7 years where he received every treatment possible for both. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.He was generous, kind, intelligent, loving and sensitive, to name just a fraction of his good qualities. He had many talents and abilities. He deserved a better life, and the world deserved him.
A friend and I are facilitating a grief support group (through a group called GRASP) in Augusta, Maine for those who have had losses due to substance use. It is our hope to help support those through grief and stigma.
I would like for my son's picture and story to be shared on the State of Addiction memorial wall."
PHOTO: Sharon Bailey
From Denise Labane on :
"I Lost my twin brother Denis passed away from an overdose of pain meds given to him from his Doctor. He had been addicted for years. The Doctor gave him morphine on Dec 31st 2014. My brother passed away on Jan 5th 2015. He had taken 38 tabs in 4 days. He should have only had 8. He always thought the more he took the better he would feel. My heart will be broken forever. I love and miss him terribly."
PHOTO: Denise Labane
From Wendy Barlass on :
"I lost my baby brother to a heroin overdose in 2004, he was a Sargent in the Military about to be deployed to Iraq, he owned his own home, he was a good and kind soul, not trying to say he was perfect or that he did not have his demons, but he was not a heroin addict, I guess what I am trying to say it can happen to anyone, It can take only that ONE time, he made bad choices and it cost him his life, 14 years later the pain of loosing him is as real to me today as is was then, gone, but NEVER forgotten RIP Bubba (July 20, 1976 - June 29, 2004)"
PHOTO: Wendy Barlass
From Pamela Anderson on :
"Jordan Gray Anderson
1/8/1990 - 4/30/2015
Jordan passed from a heroin overdose leaving behind myself, her mom, and her 19 year old brother 'Boogieman' as she called him. Jordan was an amazing, vibrant, outgoing person who had a laugh that turned all heads. She played soccer and was in the International Baccalaureate program, she was so smart. She loved her brother more than life itself. She lived and loved hard and deep. If she was your friend, she were blessed for life. Being clean and sober myself for 32 years, Jordan unfortunately got the disease of addiction as well. She struggled for years but did get clean 1/16/2014 and was able to live again, clean. She shined bright and tried so hard with every fiber in her. Unfortunately this drug called heroin had taken control and took her life. I am forever broken, never to be the same. Although I try and honor Jordan and carry her forward every day to help stop the stigma associated with heroin and addiction. She didn't grow up wanting to become an addict. It is not a moral failing or a character flaw. It is a deadly disease. Something to must be done to stop the epidemic."
PHOTO: Pamela Anderson
From Debbie Christie on :
"In loving memory of David Christie. 7-22-17. Beloved son, brother, daddy, and boyfriend. We miss you every day."
PHOTO: Debbie Christie
From Carl, Toni, John and Austin Torsch:
"Danny Torsch
6/9/86 - 12/3/10
On December 3rd, 2010 our lives changed forever when our son and brother died from an overdose. He was a smart, funny, easy going, take up for the underdog kind of guy, and gave great bear hugs. When Dannyboy was suffering in addiction for 7 years, we thought we were living in hell with him. We now know what hell really is because we have been living it every day since that devastating day."
PHOTO: Carl, Toni, John and Austin Torsch
From Lynn Wencus:
"Attached is a picture of my son, Jeff Wencus, who passed away on February 5, 2017, from an opioid overdose. I would like this picture to be included on the Wall of Remembrance."
PHOTO: Lynn Wencus
From Hazel Green McCaskill on :
"Dillon E. Williams died 3/20/2006 prescription drug overdose. This picture was taken 12 hours before he passed away. His last day was spent with our beautiful 2 year old daughter."
PHOTO: Hazel Green McCaskill
From Becky Nisbet Christian (on behalf of Noel Smith):
"On Aug 8, 2017 my husband John Smith Of Ga took his life over this addiction to opiates . He was a very loving father of 4 boys and husband . He was always smiling and is so missed by us all . God blessed us with him for 31 yrs but went home way to soon . I hope by speaking out about this it will bring attention to others to please never think it won바카라 게임 웹사이트t happen to you and your family and please reach out to get help never be ashamed to live . God Bless those going through this and their families." -Noel Smith, Chase (10), Brantley (7), Parker (6) and Hank (2)
PHOTO: Becky Nisbet Christian
Submission from email:
"Jonathan was a gifted student who received a full scholarship to college. He was interested in the arts and history and traveled to Canada, France, Italy, Israel and Greece as well as the United States from Hawaii to Massachusetts. He was an elite hockey player and played on several travel teams. He recently worked for Wyland, The Artist of the Sea, in Laguna Beach, Ca. He was a mentor to many and helped those in need. Jonathan was born on 7-21-1994 and died 2-10-2017. He accomplished quite a lot in his short 22 years of life. We miss him every day. We love you Jonathan and always will."
PHOTO: Levitt
From Faith Shirley:
"I lost my baby brother to addiction. He took the bad
ones with heroin and fentanyl. He left two twin boys two years old...Thanks for addressing this awful problem."
PHOTO: Faith Shirley
From Melinda Walker on :
"My son was always bearing up with whatever life brought his way."
PHOTO: Melinda Walker
From Mary Giroux바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"My son, Joshua Giroux lost his battle on October 24 2013 he was 24 and had been clean for 8 months.
We tried for years to get him treatment. His two sisters, and his brother miss him greatly as do I.
Please continue reporting, and raising awareness, so no more have to die. "
PHOTO: Mary Giroux바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Jason Fritz on :
"RIP Terry Fritz 12/20/87-10/1/14"
PHOTO: Jason Fritz
From jkesty on :
"beautiful daughter...lost her battle with Substance Use Disorder...10/19/12...miss you and love you forever, baby doll."
PHOTO: jkesty
From Sandra Godfrey on :
"Please place my son's name on your memory wall. He was loved. Son, husband and father. Bradley Glenn Godfrey."
PHOTO: Sandra Godfrey
From Dennis Renfrow on :
"Kyle Renfrow beloved son 27 years old lost January 2017"
PHOTO: Dennis Renfrow
From Brave Choices바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Robby, We miss you everyday and we fight this epidemic in your memory so other families don't have to live this nightmare"
PHOTO: Brave Choices바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Castro on :
"Heroin took my baby brother in 2014, He is loved and missed everyday. He was only 25. I love you dearly, James J. Hensley"
PHOTO: Castro
From Mary Ellen Cooper on :
"Missing my beautiful nephew Derek who lost his battle 12/14/16. We love you & miss you beyond words."
PHOTO: Mary Ellen Cooper
From Dawna Gauthier바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"We are burying my nephew Monday September 18, 2017. His addictions started with prescription drugs. RIP "
PHOTO: Dawna Gauthier바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Danielle on :
"12.6.94 - 11.23.15 on Thanksgiving this year will mark 2 years since my brother passed from heroin addiction. My angel"
PHOTO: Danielle바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Tina Kelly on :
"My firstborn daughter
Amber Lynne Kemme
3/9/83 - 7/22/2015
Miss her every single minute every single day"
PHOTO: Tina Kelly
From Susan Biggs on :
"This is my daughter Jen Smith. Taken way too soon! We miss you so very much! Beautiful daughter and mother to your boys."
PHOTO: Susan Biggs
From Kara Joy on :
"10 years to long"
PHOTO: Kara Joy
From Lavender Blue바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Taken by Heroin- our beautiful boys in Iowa. Stigma kills...open your eyes and your heart and help stop the epidemic!"
PHOTO: Lavender Blue바카라 게임 웹사이트
From JoLynn Baker Seagriff on :
" Forever 22Heroin stole the brightest soul! Heroin stole his future! Heroin stole all his tomorrow's from our entire family! His siblings lost their friend. I lost my son Forever! Our lives forever changed by what some call a choice! Thank you WTAE for shining a light on what we've been fighting against for years! Our lives Shattered by addiction Forever Changed.His light Forever snuffed out by heroin overdose on November 23, 2016We won't let them forget!"
PHOTO: JoLynn Baker Seagriff
From Stephanie Seutter on :
"Two weeks ago my family lost a part of our hearts. Houston Thomas Jewell, 21 years was not long enough to love you.
PHOTO: stephanie seutter
From Laurie Hauck바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"My beautiful, kind, loving daughter Courtney. She left 2 babies motherless on 03/06/17"
PHOTO: Laurie Hauck바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Anissa Makris바카라 게임 웹사이트 on :
"Todd Christopher Smith, Best gift God gave me+best friend+daddy
Just U+me Ma!
Soul's teether2U feels heavenly pull daily"
PHOTO: Anissa Makris바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Seamar Fennell on :
"Beautiful soul taken by the mercy and forgiveness on your soul John Patrick Casey"
PHOTO: Seamar Fennell
From Debbie Cope Williams바카라 게임 웹사이트 from :
"Heroin stole the promising future of our beautiful, full of life daughter Jessica Williams at 22. Heartbreaking."
PHOTO: Debbie Cope Williams바카라 게임 웹사이트
From Anne Valerio on :
"Our Mikey. So full of life, talent and love. He was an avid disc golf player and musician, majoring in Music Performance for trumpet. We miss his beautiful smile, music and big hugs. Prayers to all fighting this disease. We won't give up. Gone too soon."
PHOTO: Anne Valerio
From Michelle Lynn on :
"Lost the love of my life, my children's beautiful father on 8/5/2017. A son. A brother. An uncle. A cousin. A nephew. Full of love but his addiction took over..Addiction destroys families..πͺπͺ. He's forever in our hearts."
PHOTO: Michelle Lynn
From Dan Yancey on :
"miss my son David every day. Forever 23. 8/8/88-5/27/2012"
PHOTO: Dan Yancey
From Douglas Prevost on :
"Lost him last Sunday morning. 36 year old wonderful Son. Please help as he was full of loyalty and love for so many sons like himself that are the possible next lost life. you will not be forgotten. Lovya"
PHOTO: Douglas Prevost
From Julie Ressler:
"My beautiful son, H. Joseph Ressler III"
PHOTO: Julie Ressler
From Toireasa Nickerson:
"I lost my son on November 25, 2013 from an accidental OD.
The desperation of this disease knows no bounds. It has taken the most important person in my life. My son. Keith. It has twisted and cataclysmically ruined my entire life. His daughters and wife's life.
I miss my baby boy every minute of everyday. I will forever be in recovery from this disease that has rocked the bottom depths of my blackend soul."
PHOTO: Toireasa Nickerson
The opioid crisis has affected families all across America
Related Content
In 2015 alone, opioids were involved in over 33,000 fatal overdoses, representing 63% of all drug deaths. Opioid addiction has affected so many families throughout the country, and many have tragically lost family and friends to the crisis sweeping across the nation. Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien asked people to share their stories and photos of loved ones who are no longer with us. In this Wall of Remembrance gallery, you can read some of their stories and see the impact opioid addiction has had on America.
Have you or a loved one been affected by opiod addiction? Share your story on Facebook, Twitter or uLocal with the hashtag #stateofaddiction
For more the State of Addiction primetime special with Soledad O'Brien please visit the Matter of Fact .
Eric M. Franklin
Robert M. Franklin
Jacob Joseph Kallal
Steven 'Mark' Visnick
Mason McClaine
Kelsey Errico
Erica Long
Tyler Simeroth
Ryan Williams
Paul Marquez
Sarah Panquita Brantly
Richard Vanhart
Travis Hunter
Nick Antich
Ryan Jackson
Ryan Pappa
Jacky Jones
Peter Gray O'Connell
Lance Eager
Danny Torsch
Jeff Wencus
John Smith
H. Joseph Ressler III
Keith Michael Nickerson