International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind. Time to Remember. Time to Act.

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Tributes to lost loved ones

I lost my dear friend Dallas in 2015. He was the sweetest soul. He wanted to be a youth pastor and had a heart of pure gold. He struggled with drugs for close to a decade before we lost him due to an overdose. He had been abstinent for six months before he used again and he didn't realize his tolerance was lower than he was used to. If he had access to naloxone he might still be here today. He would have turned 28 last month. We miss you, DJ.

Hope

Scottie, My brother. You were such a beautiful man with a bright smile and squinty eyes. Your big bear hugs brought me so much security and warmth during the times we held each other. I wish I could have a million more of those hugs and be able to hear your laugh or see your smile instead of listening to videos and looking through pictures. Your death haunts me daily. The grief and thoughts of what could have been done and said. What more could we have done. I have never seen someone fight addiction as hard as you did and you did it all for your family. I wish you would've stayed away from this town; part of me thinks you would still be here if you did. It has been less than a year since you left us but it feels like a lifetime. I ache. Tonight I fell to the ground, wondering if you felt all the pain when you left this world. Were you scared? Were you at peace? Did you think about all of us who loved you? I am so proud of what you overcame when you were here and what mark you left in this world. Your daughter misses you. She is getting so big and looks more and more like you every day. I love you, Scott. I miss you like hell.

Posted 24/09/2018

Kaylee

I lost my 29-year-old son to an accidental heroin overdose on August 15, 2010. He struggled against his addiction, searching for resources that just weren't there. It is my most fervent wish that no other mother go through this and I hope in some way I can work to prevent someone else from experiencing the anguish and loss of that special love between mother and son.

Emily Galvin

Today is May 2, 2019....My son, Ryan Vincent....its been almost 4 years that we dont see you...but our hearts are connected...we love you and miss you but we are certain that we will see you one day....Love Mom, Jonathan, Adam, Carlos your nieces and nephews.... Posted 03/05/2019

DANUTA DIANE Subercaseaux

Simone S - not a day,a week, month or a year goes by i dont think of you and our friendship. the pain of losing you is still as raw-like my shadow it follows me everywhere-i love and miss you forever and always-Lisa xxx

Lisa

I would like to remember Kathy Lewis and Ernie Combes. Gone but not forgotten 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Tlee

This tribute is for my loving friend David who will always have a special place and memory in my heart. David had a long term use of cannabis which he thought was helping him deal with his depression but it resulted in his horrific suicide which affected the lives of all his loving family and so many friends. As the anniversary of his passing away is now just over a year, we remember his struggle with his addiction and he enormous joy he brought to so many in his life. Rest in peace.

Anon

My daughter Layla Kate Heckel died of a heroin overdose. 9/12/91-10/16/11. She was a beautiful person.

Cheryl

My sister, Kasey Leigh Walter has passed from an overdose in 2017. Know that you are not alone if you or your family have gone through things like this. You can always seek help and be heard. Stay strong and live it up. 💕

Lee

To my dearest brother, you lost your battle to the devil 6 years ago today. You are missed more than words could ever describe but your memories give me the strength i need to proceed. In my heart is where I will keep you until we meet again. RIP Your little sister

Your little sister

Treyvon was a beloved local athlete, he was raised as not one who harmed but one who loved, helped and trusted. Because of his training and athletic aspirations he had to live a clean drug free life until he believed he fell in love. That love lead him to stray from his drugless training to experiment and he became a follower of one not worth his love, enticed to lose his way and his training. The result was a loss of his life. To be tossed out like old trash and forgotten by some but loved and remembered by many who truly knew him. His little dog still whines sadly and looks for him, she was there and knows what happened to him, if only she could talk. We miss him as only the ones who truly knew and loved him could miss him. Our prayers to Almighty God is that this plague of death is stopped, to stop the callus loss of life of our young men and women, our children, our loves, our heirs, our future.

Treyvon

To my adoring closest friend Kendall, too beautiful for this world. Leaving us way too early at the age of 19. I miss you more than life itself. 3/28/94- FOREVER

Gabrielle

To: Dad  I love you always

Your Lil Princess Sherie

Today, and every day I remember and rejoice in the 18 years I had as the mother to my first child, Brandi Shea Meshad. No it was not enough time. Eighteen years was not even close to the lifetime I expected to share with her, but 18 years was all we were given. She passed away on March 8, 2011 from accidental overdose and was only 18 years old. I contemplate all of the experiences I will never share with her, the experiences she never had the chance to have - to live - and it is overwhelming. An overwhelming loss of such a beautiful life. I choose to remember all the love and life she did share with all those she loved in the 18 years she had. I cherish every single second. Today, and every day, I remember and will always wish she would miraculously walk through the front door alive. Overdose is preventable. Education is an absolute must. Every single life is worth saving. My daughter was worth saving. But she didn't have that option. So from earth to heaven I reach my arms, my soul, my being to her in the belief that she can still feel my love. I will love you till the sky ends....and it never does.

Lisa Brandy

In memory of my mom . I love you forever and always , no matter what !

Posted 08/08/2018

Kristen

Andrew- you were taken too soon, you have left an enormous black hole of grief and pain that your entire family is being sucked into. You are an amazing young man, an incredible father, son, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend. Your addiction killed you but does not define you. Your empathy, kindness, intelligence, generosity, and capacity for limitless love does. We are struggling to learn how to live without you... All my love, Mom

Donna-Marie

To: Phyllis Trifitt (Phil) It's been 13 years but I still miss my best mate in the world. I miss our run amock times and those whirlwind days of purple haze kinda stuff - when I get to heaven I will find you and we will go mushie picking. Love always - Hel.

Helen Woods

For my angel in Heaven, Chris. Always kind, always smart, always important. On 9/3 it will be 5 years and it still fells like yesterday. Oh what at you taught us in your lifetime here and oh what we have learned since. Forever grateful and in love with you. Mom

Linda

Rest easy PI. You are loved and missed and thought of eveyeday. Posted 12/10/2019

Jewls3433_

Please do not use alone! If you think your loved one is overdosing do not hesitate to call for help. Seconds can literally save a life! Learn the signs! What you don't know can hurt you and what you don't know can kill you! Please don't become a statisic. .I beg you, don't make your parents worst nightmare come true! My daughter Kaitlyn Nicole Rouse forever 16 changed my life twice! 1st was when I gave birth to my beautiful angel and 2nd when I buried my beautiful angel!

Kinston North Carolina USA

Shannon Rouse-Ruiz

planted in memory of Julieanne May O'Day (May Family)

worcester ma usa

kathy

Since 1982, I must have been to at least 25 OD funerals nearly all of which followed a period of abstinence and usually involved alcohol. My friends died because they bought into the lies of prohibition. Addiction is a chronic disease, the symptoms of which CAN be easily and safely treated for less than 50 pence a day. Most of us grow out of it if we survive long enough. Annie from Watford didn't live long enough to find out, neither did "Harry" aka Paul F, Emma, Pete, Phil (the Pill), Tam, Mark et al. Let's not forget the partners, parents, friends and family of the above whose lives were distorted by their loss. Victims all of hypocrisy and the War on Drugs (users) Remember prohibition screws you up. Viva

To my beautiful and talented son, Brian Pollard...Mother's Day 2016 you left this physical world. Your battle with heroin took you away, just past your 32nd birthday. I miss you so much, as do your sweet daughters, your brothers and family. When your brother Sean got married a couple of weeks ago, he scattered some of your ashes in the Frio River. Hours before the wedding I found 6 hawk feathers, so I know you were there with us. We used them in the flower arrangements on all the tables. I love and miss you so very much...it's amazing what the heart can endure. Rest in peace, my son, and know how much you will always be loved 💖

Meadview, Grand Canyon, USA

Cindy Sijan

My incredible, handsome, loving brother Henry W August 18 2020 I love you beyond words. Brooke <3 My brother had a disease and he died of it and you might have it too. It is called addiction. It is not funny, it is not a choice, it is a sickness that is killing peoples children. I have it too. I fight my disease every fucking day so my mom doesn’t have to cry over my body and my children can grow up with a mother and my family doesn’t have to worry every fucking day about whether or not they will get to see me again. I have the disease of addiction. I used to feel better, funnier, happier, smarter, included, wanted, numb, I wanted to feel anything but what I felt like when I was sober. I couldn’t wait to drink or party again on the weekend or middle of the week or how ever often I can get out. I hurt my family, I worried my family, I stole, I lied, I drove drunk and high, I started doing things I swore I would never ever do. One day the pain of living with the things I was doing became greater than the pain of living with out drugs or alcohol and I finally got help. There is a solution to this disease. You do not have to die from it. You do not have time to wait. Henry thought he had time. He promised he was going to sober up at 29 like me. He didn’t even make it a fucking year after saying that. THERE IS A SOLUTION! YOU CAN RECOVER! YOU CAN BE HAPPY JOYUS AND FREE!! YOU NEVER HAVE TO DRINK AGAIN! YOU NEVER HAVE TO USE AGAIN! I can show you what I did to heal. I can show you how I got clean and sober but more importantly happy and healthy and stopped being a selfish POS. I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING IN THE WORLD TO HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE TO HELP HENRY. I prayed over his body asking God to just give us one more chance to help him. I prayed for a miracle. My whole life I have devoted to helping people get sober, find a solution, get a connection with God and I couldn’t help my own little brother. It is fucking heart wrenching, devastating and I don’t wish it on anyone in the fucking world. If you are done with this bull shit please reach out to me or I can give you numbers to call. If Henry’s death can save your life there may be some sort of meaning to this. This disease is progressive and you will die from it or lose your mind or end up in jail if you don’t get help.. 100% every time no exception. If you are an addict or alcoholic there is no using safely. If you are just a regular person trying drugs for the first time there is no using safely these days. PLEASE GET HELP NOW!

Henry

In remembrance of our son Marc Evangelista. Forever in my heart.

Ruthanne

Kenneth Ayers was my buddy from high school. Good dude, loved cars, was a funny fellow. Never thought it would come to this. Wish I could go back in time, to change so much... I know that I wish I could've prevented your death. I have lost so many not yet deceased to the evil that is heroin. I am still amazed at the people who know the results and still attempt to do it. Why? All you ever end up like is my good friend Kenny or if you haven't yet, you steal and alienate everyone you love, degrade yourself, sell your soul, lie, cheat, anything to get the reason why you can't go one day without something otherwise you hurl, writhe in pain, twitch, sweat, feel like you are possessed, lash out, relapse, o. d., Get arrested, go to prison, lose your kids, your home, all you own. Sure, sounds tempting... Surely doesn't. Not to mention all the wonderful skin issues, teeth issues, and gastrointestinal issues that also make life so wonderful. You also begin to forget huge chunks of your life. Long and short term memory, forget a job, you also fall asleep standing up, nod out in your lunch, and home is sufficient as long as it's a card board box under a pier. Why wouldn't you want to do this drug? Kenny didn't know the results, or if he did, he thought he could control it. No one can, it's not a managed habit. It manages you. It controls your life, it will ruin every part of you until it kills you. I hate heroin. It's such a government created scheme to deplete the population. Think your a rebel because you tried drugs? The ones whom you think you're rebelling from are the ones who helped provide the opportunity for you to try it. So, all you do is help the people you hate. So rebel and don't do any drugs. Be prosperous, generous, love everyone, and read books. That's rebellion. Posted 31/01/2020

Lexi B.

In honor of my beautiful son, who has struggled with heroin addiction for the last year, in and out of rehab.. but is now in college. I'm so incredibly lucky, so grateful. There's not a single day that goes by that I don't think of this horrible crisis and all those young souls we've lost to heroin. I wish Chicago would respond to the crisis appropriately, with as much energy and determination as the drug dealers.

Ellie

Daddy, I wish you could be with me this year, and be there in the audience when I walk across the stage to get my diploma.. I hope I make you proud every day. I know you didn’t mean for it to turn out this way, but you are in a better place now. I miss you more every day. Love always, Tiffany

Your Princess

To: Brian In loving memory of my precious son Brian, who lost his battle with addiction on 4/15/2005. His struggle with heroin was so difficult. I know how badly he wanted to be free of that dreadful disease but was not successful in overcoming it. He was tortured by that ugly thing. I remember how sweet he was when he was sober and how desperate he became when he was sick from withdrawal. I miss and love him so much but I truly believe that the Lord saved him from his suffering when he took him home. I pray that he has found peace and tranquility where he is. Much as I miss my son, I am happy that his suffering has come to an end. Brian, I will be so happy when it's my turn to return home and I am with you again. I love you with all my heart. I would give anything to hug you just one more time. Just to see you smile one more time. I hate heroin. All our beautiful children taken before their time. Always in my heart Bri. Love Mom

Maureen Sullivan

To: My Bab Nathan Chalkley = Still waiting for it to become easier honey. Sad that I didn't get to say goodbye and to tell you that I love you more than anything. I pray that you're at peace and you have overcome your demons. Hope you realise what you left behind. All for the sake of a few minutes of peace that I will never understand. You not only left me behind but you left your two beautiful children behind who miss you more than anything, especially your son Jarrad, who is so much like you and finding it hard to live without you in his life. I will do everything in my power to make his life and Emma's as happy & normal as possible. I am sure that is what you would have wanted for them. All our love Katrina, Jarrad & Emma Chalkley.

Katrina Jarrad & Emma Chalkley

Tyler hillman
April16 1997- July 26 2016.

Calgary

Carol-Ann hillman

My nephew Joseph passed away on 7/5/16 from a heroin overdose in Chicago, IL. He was 27, we miss him and mourn him.

Alison

In memory of my daughter Victoria Rae King. 7/11/95 - 4/21/17. Gone but not Forgotten! My forever 21 Angel baby!❤⚓⚓❤

Kinston NC

Teresa Forrest

Son you have been my greatest teacher, even though those around you saw you as week and broken. I miss you now and forever. I have a hole in my heart that you reside that will never be healed. Life was a battle for you. I know you are at peace now and have a different point of view that I as a human on this earth does not have. I will depend on you to give me the perspectives and guidance from your higher view. You are loved!!!

Patricia

Dec 3 2016, my precious only daughter, Joy lost her fight . And oh what a fight ! She completed 9 Rehabs in 9 years--most Sof which were 30 days and one that lasted 60 days. She was the best baby, the best child, the best young adult, the best friend I ever had. She was like my twin in her young adulthood. She was so much fun, so loving thoughtful and incredibly generous...Joy was the "Light of my Life " and I told her that through out her life, even near the end when I was scared to death I was going to lose her. She was 42.

Mesa Arizona U.S.A.

Cyn

My handsome son, daddy, brother, grandson, uncle, Bryan Joseph Grieco passed on June 25, 2017. At the young age of 25. He had so much to live for. So many new things were about to happen. Maybe that's why. I read what he wrote in one if many if his rehabs. The question was, what are your triggers. The very first one on the too of the list, was happiness. My heart breaks everyday. And it won't stop until my heart breaks so much that it stops beating. I love you Bryan. Miss you so very much.

Posted 16/08/2019

Elizabeth Grieco

My angel and only daughter, 33, passed away on 5-5-13 from cardiac arrest, and I know that was from an overdose of drugs as she was highly addicted. She battled with sobriety for so long and her mind and soul were being taken by it. I write to her every day and I am so appreciative there is a National Drug Addiction Awareness Day, and I came across it on the Internet. Let my dearest daughter rest in peace and let her demons be taken by the angels Love Mom

Claudia Byrd

In loving memory of my precious son, Jeffrey William Normile 10/28/1984 to 5/25/2016. You were and are loved by so many. You lost your fight, the damn drugs won and my life will never be the same. Rest in peace, I love you 💚 Lakewood, OH

Jane Normile

Simone Another year has passed and it still feels like yesterday I got the call you had gone. Time has not healed the wounds of loosing you. Our friendship, our good times and laughs,your loyalty you gave 24/7 to me and Joel and Tabitha. The love and caring you showed our clients will live in all our hearts forever. I will forever cherish our memories and keep them in my heart. Love and miss you -Lisa, Joel and Tabitha ♡♡♡

Lisa

You have always been too bright for this Earth Emilee. Kind in beauty and deeds, Your Sun gives birth to an Ocean's steed... We are forever inmixed my love. Jay

Jay

Wiley, It has been 3 months since you left this earth, but it feels like a lifetime. I will forever cherish the 16 years knowing you and every single moment we were able to spend together. I will bring awareness in your honor. You will be forever missed. I love you. Infinity. Katherine

Katherine

Thinking of you, missing you, always beloved, Brian (Gorky) Rohatyn ❤️

Cynthia

I lost my dad to an overdose when I was just 12 yeats old. 8 years later, I lost my cousin to an overdose just 9 days after my birthday. Overdose Awareness has now became an everyday topic in my life. I know the pain of watching a family member suffer along with the whole family suffering as well. 💜

Washington DC

Breanna

MENANDS MENANDS

GlennM

Remembering my darling Erif - forever loved and missed.

Northwich, Cheshire, United Kingdom

Kate

I just wanted to take a moment to remember my brother Richard Lemon who died of an overdose in November of 2010. I love you Richard. I miss you everyday and think about you all the time. We will see you soon....

Robert

To Stuart Been nearly 2 months now since I last saw you. Miss you every single day, my heart hurts like its been ripped out I miss you that much. I know you did not mean to die and that life on life's terms was just too painful. If we could have another life I would always choose you in it. I would choose a happier pain free life. X

Lisa

My Oldest sister passed on May 28th 2016, she was going to be 50 in just a few short months, she lost her battle of addiction, and her and her boyfriend both overdosed and died together. It breaks my heart knowing what a beautiful person she was, loving and kind just a lost soul who never found her way back to us after many years of addiction. I will always love you for the person I knew you to be, not the person the drug made you into , my love will always remain the same. I will never forget you or your struggle and I will always try to help others in your memory. I love and miss you with each passing day, and hope you are free from pain and heartache. Love Always your little sister Tia

Tia

I will be active in overdose awareness day August 31st. I make this tribute in memory of my daughter Lora who passed from an overdose October 27 2017. Cape Coral

Toni

Thank you all for awareness day. Three months ago I lost the man I called soulmate, love and best friend. I wished I knew more about this demon drug, as I've learned now. I would have tried harder, I would have known better. I will hurt till the day I die, missing that most loving heart and immortal smile. Brian C always know you are so loved. Until we meet again my love sweet dreams

Karen