Overdose Deaths: Messages from Beyond

With over 100,000 annual drug overdose (OD) deaths in America, we can estimate that few citizens are exempt from knowing an individual who is addicted or deceased from overdosing. Some of these tragedies resulted from bad choices, and others by accident. There are also those individuals of whom a deadly drug sought them without being aware, and taking their lives in the process. Aside from the cause of death, there is another commonality; they all have a message for us. Few of these are short but most leave behind questions and ill feelings, while others boast a strong lesson that continues for years, or even decades.

It personally pains me when I hear the news about an OD death, and one of the saddest aspects is these stories rarely become known unless the victim is that of a Hollywood star, college/professional athlete, or a teenager at school. When I was a County Sheriff, I repeatedly heard the phrase, “If I would have only known” [referring to the dangers of drugs]. This is why educating the public about these monsters is extremely important, more so today than ever in the past.

Overdoses and America’s drug problem is one that way too many (especially our policymakers) attempts to shove into a remote closet and keep hidden until needed for a personal agenda, or to blame the problem on law enforcement. There are exceptions to this rule; those who proclaim the message of these OD victims are usually loved ones left behind.

This message is simple, “DON’T USE,” but doing this may not be that easy. People use and abuse drugs for a multitude of reasons and breaking loose from their deadly grip can be complicated, with some ending in an OD death. Family members and friends are left behind, with victims silently begging them to shout out the message and help save others from this tragedy, learning from their mistake. One fact that can’t be argued is that there are no guarantees that each of us and our families won’t be directly affected by a drug addicted loved one.

After facing such tragedies, some left behind choose to shout out the message to save others from such devastation. Hollywood entertainers who succumb to OD deaths leave behind a fan base who usually glorify the deceased without taking accountability for these addictions. There are exceptions; one that I will use is Actor Matthew Perry. While alive, he made public his fight with addictions and sought help from family, friends, and medical professionals. His demise was unfortunate, escalated by those giving priority to money, rather than human life, and contributing to his premature death. Since his passing, Mr. Perry’s family started up the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, which provides recovery support services for those addicted to drugs.

The above is just one story; the list continues with individuals and organizations that are attempting to address America’s drug addiction problem. You don’t have to be rich and famous to continue these important messages from loved ones, even smaller efforts are effective, and needed. Steve Bales with the Pulaski Coalition Against Drugs, along with Dayna Blanar (Missouri) and Veronica Kaprosy (Texas), who both lost teenage children to fentanyl poisoning, march on with messages about the dangers of drugs. Now, both mothers, along with Mr. Bales, have embarked on a tireless journey to educate as many as possible about these dangers.

These are just a few of the many who have embarked on educating and warning others about drug addiction and overdose-related deaths. This message is exactly what the above-listed victims would want, hoping to help and prevent others from having a similar demise. These voices are shouting a loud message to America (one of the most addicted countries in the world), so hopefully people are listening. No one should have to ever say, “If I would have only known!”

BY: Ronald Long