Joseph’s ambitions of working as an airplane mechanic were cut short after a car accident landed him in surgery where he was given pain medication. When his pain medicine prescription ran out, he searched out relief illegally. His mother, Jean, never suspected that her son had become addicted until he confessed and asked for help. It was a journey that ended when he passed away a few years later at the age of 23. Jean now helps manage a drug prevention grant for two counties to warn children about the dangers of using illegal drugs and how they can lead to addiction. She also finds help from her grief by attending meetings sponsored by GRASP (www.grasphelp.org) and Helping Parents Heal (www.helpingparentsheal.org).

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

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