Shawn Michael Leins, my 18 year old son, lost to accidental Methadone toxicity October 12, 2012. He was not an addict nor was he prescribed any. A 32 year old neighbor lady shared her 10 mg pills with him and then kicked him out in the middle of the night. Methadone diversion is illegal in my state, yet she was never even questioned. How bout that?! ~4ever, 4always & 4eternity~ Cromwell, Indiana United States

I lost my sister to an overdose on December 24,2011.   Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.  She was my only sibling and my best friend.  I still can't believe that she is gone on somedays and its been 5 years.  I'm thinking about you today Lisa.  The day you died part of my heart died with you.  You will never be forgotten.  See you again some day.

Missing you Monica. forever in our hearts

Florida

To: Thomas McLeod Brock I have another daughter and still the same strong wife, someone that I will love for this and my next life. We didn't know you'd left us for another place and we still don't know if you chose to quit the human race. You were my friend and as close as a brother I guess. We did things our way and made quite a mess. Surrounded by daughters, sisters and wives who tried to help us all through our lives and now that I am reaching into my own twighlight. We both know that parents are right!

We lost our beautiful Montana April 18,2017 at the age of 25. We miss her kind heart,fun spirit and her love for all people and things. Hatboro Pa usa

Susan I know you tried to get sober and clean but I know in my heart that you could not beat your addiction down. May you rest in peace and know we will love and miss you forever! Thanks for being my friend for 18 yrs! I feel like there are times I can't breath cause you can't answer! It will be hard to let go, hard not having you around in my presence. God Bless!

In remembrance of my wonderful, loving, crazy son Nick who passed away on March 14, 2015 from a heroin overdose.  I will love you for always. Until we can be together again. xoxo Momma

My dear sweet Daniel , you were taken from us way too soon!! You will always be in our hearts until we are with you again!!
I love you,
Mama

Spartanburg SC. US

Chris... I miss you every day and I’m sure I always will. I just wanted to post something because I have a lot of pain in my heart since fentynol has taken you away. I love you brother. You’re the best man I ever knew.

Posted 14/08/2018

My forever 23yr old son Robert Lee Burns 12/17/2010 I had no clue he was using until l the day I got that dread ed phone call.

Posted 31/08/2018

Two years today (2/9) since you died Martin  from a combined drug toxicity of cocaine and over the counter sleep aid. Aged 19. Too many unanswered questions. The pain of loosing you is worse than ever. The total loss & uselessness of your passing. The gaping hole in our family. You should still be here, enjoying your wonderful nephews & niece. We miss you so much. We can only hope that your death has given others the warning they need to never touch illicit drugs again & give your death some meaning. Still travelling. Mum xxxx

To My Beloved Son, Jimmy Davidson, you will always be missed and held in high esteem for the loving caring person you were to all those who knew you. Your moto "too blessed to be stressed" I try to hold on to when times are hard when facing the reality that I lost you so early in life at 27yrs of age on 10/09/15. You always bragging about how strong your mom was has made me be that strong for you to live up to your words. I cant lie, its hard knowing that the world still turns without you, but one day we will meat again my son.

To The World, Love your addict with all your heart, try and help in anyway you can but mostly- do not give up on them no matter how tough it gets. If you do, someday you will regret that. Its not the person, its the drugs ruining things, but that person is still in there dying to get out and free from the sickness. Do not be ashamed and just love unconditionally. It may not save them (but it could!) but it will find them some peace and security in love and for you as well.

Michael, my beautiful, beautiful 20 year old son lost his battle early in the morning of October 1, 2016. I am a writer by profession; I should be able to come up with some small, profound nugget of inspiration to express what this has meant for our family. It should also console the many thousands of others who are trying to find their path back to any peace/joy they may have once had in their lives. But  as I quickly learned, there is simply no way of describing the indescribable. My first born baby is now at peace, but my message to his friends that were lucky enough to survive that night's 'batch': from this point on, my prayers will be for your parents instead, who still have no idea of what is probably in store for them as well. God bless you Michael, you're completely in his hands now. I love you, Mom

My big brother Christopher. We battled addiction together. I hate that my memories of you are tainted by use, but I'll take what i can get. I talk about you all the time to Oran, he's 6 now and if you heard his emotion and words when he talks about you, you would think that he knew you as long as i did. He sure looks like his uncle. I always tell him you would have been the best uncle possible. I know he knows its true too. He cries real tears of pain for someone that left this earth 9 months before he was born. It makes me so sad but so happy at the same time. You were truly one of a kind. Rest in peace C Gos... the best big brother to ever be. Christopher Damian G. 06/16/1984 - 03/27/2011 . It never gets easier. 7 years but it still feels like we just lost you. Love you bro. Cheers.

Posted 27/06/2018

To: Kelly Wayne Kelly will always be in our hearts, may she shine on. Love you Wayne Alan

Sojourn JMB Bremerton wa usa

Hey ant. I love ya bud. I miss you so much. Jr and kelsey are in good hands and all of our friends are taking care of them both. Jr is loved so much and looks so much like you. He's ten months and he's huge! Keep watching over us pal. Love ya  

Joshua S, you were a such a sweet guy with great aspirations of becoming a lawyer. I will always remember you for having such a sweet demeanor and caring personality. God be with you. Ft. Lauderdale

To Terry Radnidge Thinking of you mate - 30 years later - God Bless.

This is in tribute and memory of my son Patrick David Holley 2-14-1981 to 2-13-2010. My handsome, funny, loving compassionate and sensitive son was taken from us the day before his 29th birthday. Patrick would light up a room when he walked into it. He was a smart ass with a great sense of humor who was the only one who could make me laugh at myself. He was my life, the love of my life. He had a very giving and compassionate heart. He literally gave people his last dime and even his meal. He judged no one and accepted them for who they were. So sad that people hear he passed from a drug overdose and immediately attach that stigma to it. They never bother to find out what a kind, loving person he was to all who knew and loved him. I love you Patrick and this is for you my Sonshine. Always loved, always missed and forever in our hearts!

In memory of my beautiful 17 year old son, Cody, who was the light of so many people's lives and tragically died on June 1, 2017 of an accidental prescription drug overdose. He is loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. Carpinteria, California USA

To my son joe. You left us way to soon. I know you're with your angels. I love you and will forever hold you in my heart. I wish I could have you back but I will always cherish the memories we created together. Peace be with you always. N syracuse, NY

My dear son Brian I will forever miss you. My funny smart-witted intelligent caring kind-hearted one.  My one with the biggest heart but the one that was also broken hearted.  I hope your wings are flying high and may you rest in peace.  Can't wait to hold you in my arms again love forever and always Mom xoxoxoxo

Addiction has impacted my life in ways I never could imagine. My mother died of an overdose 20 years ago. I married an addict. And lost so many friends and family due to this disease. RIP Mom and Kelly miss you. I will never stop fighting to end this horrible disease. You

I lost one of my good friends in July 2015, he was 37. Mike Houge was one of the most compassionate and caring person I have ever met. He would give you the shirt off his back 5 minutes after meeting him if you needed it. Mike had lots of friends, and was such a joy to be around. His addiction started with prescription drugs and then moved to heroin a few years later. At which I never even suspected he was doing it, because he hid it very well, from everyone. He left New jersey to be with his family in Oregon, which only lasted two years. His addiction was stronger than we had thought. He came home to visit, and unfortunately never returned home. After 2 years of being away from this terrible drug, he overdosed on a Friday night. As i am writing this, I am crying, the pain still hurts , and i miss him everyday. I'll never forget you Mike, my hougey bear, Love always Michele Hellertown

To my buddy Leigh, you left way too soon sweetie! I think of you every day and wish you were here. I will never forget you bud. I love and miss you so much. Until we meet again keep soaring on the wings of an eagle

To Troy, in a way you had so much more to live for, but in the eyes of your taker you'd lived far too long. No one understood the extent of this deep, dark, battle you fought. The pain, anxiety, sadness, failure. From the surface it seemed so much less than that because of the loveliness you brought to others for you shall not be remembered for how you went but what you left. Rest in paradise now beautiful soul {4-11-96/8-18-15}

I lost my son, and the world lost a wonderful young man and blues prodigy the night before his 29th birthday. He overdosed on heroin after not being able to sleep for 3 days, as he tried to recover from his addictions. I founded a non-profit in his name to let people know that his death was not a result of 'fun,' but of suffering. He was handsome, well-loved, successful and talented. I hoped his face would help reduce the stigma of addiction with a co-occurring mental disorder (bipolar disorder). Eight years later, and I miss him every day, as do so many others. I applaud this organization for their mission. Addiction is a disease, a serious one, that crosses every part of society. That more is not known or done is criminal. My heart breaks for anyone who has lost a brave, gentle soul like Sean. (www.seancostellofund.org)

My 24 year old son, Alex Fuller died of an overdose on 2/5/17 from heroin laced with fentanyl. He was a kind soul with a huge heart that deserved to live the life he had ahead of him. That was cut short. There will not be a minute that goes by that I don't think of my sweet boy and believe that I am one step closer to being with him again.

Louisville, Kentucky

My best friend, Casey, gave in to the struggle of heroin addiction on January 22nd, 2014. He was by far the best person in many lives. He was a light for a lot of people and we were very blessed to have him here for the 23 and a half years that he was. I see people every day that look just like him. I still look for him walking down the street. I still wait for his text messages wishing me a happy birthday or a Merry Christmas. The last thing he ever said to me was that he couldn't wait for me to get back into town to see him. He said he loved and missed me so much and that he'd see me in a few months... That never happened. Heroin ruined his life. It consumed him in such an unbelievable way. He was my unicorn. My one and only. It's hard to go on most days. I'll love and miss him my whole life.

In honour of the greatest gift I will ever receive, my treasured big brother Jamie. It’s been 75 days since you left my side and left a hole in my heart. I marvel every day at how the world still spins in colour when through my eyes everything looks so grey. We were robbed of your gentle soul, taken by an accidental drug overdose at just 30 years of age. Your battle with addiction never defined who you were, instead it saw you as a soldier in my eyes. Waking up with this fight every day wasn’t easy for you, but your courage, your resilience and your beautiful big heart made you my hero. I lived in fear of this for so many years and I so naively thought the fierce love our family shared protected us from this reality. Now I know that life is too short and the only thing guaranteed to us is the space in our mind and I intend to fill mine with beautiful memories of you. You’re free from your struggle but now begins mine. Light up the sky my love x

Lost my son Brandon to an overdose on May 19, 2016. He was an amazing 29 year old. Loved sports, cooking and was the self proclaimed "best pizza maker of all time". Brandon battled with addiction for 4 years and unfortunately lost his battle on that Thursday night. Life will never be the same without my son. RIP my boy.... 12/18/86-5/19/16

I lost my first born son, Dylan Justis Lancaster, to overdose on 3/23/16. He was 21 years old. His father passed of natural causes 20 days prior and he was trying to numb his pain. My son was witty, funny, smart, beautiful & kind. He was my bright & shiny star. I grieve for him every single day. I am so sorry I couldn't ease your broken heart son.

Villa Rica, GA

My son lost his best friend to a drug overdose. He left a handsome little son behind. His son has that same smile his daddy had no matter how bad of a day he was having he could make anybody smile . He is miss by his family so much. His mom n brother r raising his wonderful son. I know that he will be just like his daddy

My beautiful boy Timothy Daniel Spence. You will never be forgotten. Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Manuel, I miss you more than you'll ever know. It's been 1 year and 11 days since I've seen you, held you, or heard your voice. My heart hurts for you everyday. Just like you said the last time we spoke, "I LOVE YOOOUUUU...............................................DITTO"

Christian: There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t wish you were here with us. We miss you more and more each day. So sad that his happened to you. Love Caden, Mom and Dad, Charlene Josh Marcus and Olivia. Posted 18/07/2019

I have been struggling with a heroin addiction for 6 years. I have 4 beautiful and intelligent children. I want to be clean and sober and not struggle with addiction everyday more than anything else I could ever have. Please pray for me to get better and have a better life for me my family my kids and everyone else around me. Thank you for your prayers and I pray that all of my friends whom I loved that have perished at a sad young age are with God in a better happy place now and that they would never have to shed a tear again. In Jesus's name i pray, amen. With love Amy 04/24/2018 12:39pm

To my darling Holly. Missing you so much but I feel your presence every day my beautiful girl. Love you for ever. All our sweetest love Mum, Dad and Daisy May. Rest in Peace. XXXXXXXXX Posted 03/06/2019

In tribute of my beautiful, kind and most special loving niece. Her name is Melissa Kosmin. She was fun and full of life and giggles. She had a hard time on earth with depression, anxiety and nervousness. She only wanted to be happy, be normal, find a true love, get married and have children. She was very smart and had many talents speaking mutiple lanquages and was first in her graduating classes in high school and college. She was smart about many things and spoke very well on many subjects. She just had not found her way in life yet. We were all sure she eventually would. It was just taking longer for her. She however cut her life short last night on Sept 19th 2013. She was only in her early 30s. She had overdosed before but was always caught in time by her mother (my sister). My sister's heart was torn out many times. I warned my niece that I would not forgive her if she took her life because she would kill my sister. My sister has been sleep ever since she found Melissa and my fear is that when she wakes up tomorrow thinking it was all a bad dream. We lost our mother who lived to be 93 just months ago. My mother loved Melissa with all her heart just like we all did/do. We hope and pray that Melissa is with her grandmother in peace now. Our hearts are broken for a life not lived. She helped more people then she will ever know. As I heard tonight from another grieving family. A broken tree can bear fruit and Melissa did that. I will miss her beautiful face , her smile, he giggles. How sad we are to night for us and all parents who lose children to overdose. God bless everyone life is hard here on earth. Melissa's aunt Patricia

My daughter, Gabrielle, died on January 30th, 2016. She was only 25. She had battled mental illness and drug addiction for all of her short life. Although her drugs of choice were meth and heroin, it was a combination of her one prescription medications that killed her. Gab spent many years going through detoxes and endless treatment centers. She tried so hard to fight, but the drugs were far more powerful. We'll celebrate what would have been her 27th birthday tomorrow May 18th. She's now free of pain and anguish. Forever young and always in our hearts!

Wake Forest, NC, USA

To Rupe, Bobby, & Doyen, I just want you to know that your life stories live-on to help others who are battling this ugly epidemic everyday I enter the ER. Miss you guys! CC

In memory of my son Chris who never got the chance to celebrate his 21st birthday. I love you and miss you terribly. RIP Posted 05/06/2019

I am participating in International Overdose Awareness Day in remembrance of my son, Justin Bourdon. Justin was a kind, compassionate man who deeply loved his family. He lost his battle with the disease of substance abuse on February 17, 2009 at the age of 33. Justin, mom loves and misses you deeply.

Michael Patrick Duffy 8/8/87--10/28/08 After 11 months of sobriety, Michael died from an overdose of OxyContin. Missed every day by his Dad and I and his sisters, brother, niece and nephew. He was a funny guy who loved his family dearly, which includes his dogs.

In loving memory of my brother, Frederick N Ellis III -aka- Ellis Ellis. He was two weeks shy of turning 27. August 6, 1988 - July 26, 2015. I love you & not a day goes by that I don't think about you. It gives me peace to know you are no longer suffering with the horrible drug, heroin, and are now sober in the arms of Jesus.

My son Matt died of a overdose On 6/5/2017 he was only 29 Olean,newyork

Melissa Marie Hamilton could light up a room with her smile!! She is missed! 4/14/81-4/29/15

I'd like to dedicate a few words to my insanely loud and hilarious older brother, Donovan Long. Donovan has just celebrated his 40th birthday a couple weeks before he was found laying on the floor and unresponsive in his home. My husband and I had finally taken a trip to the beach with our then 1 and 2 year old to Destin when Donovan died. And I hadn’t spoken to my brother since we left for the trip either. To be honest, Donovan and I loved and cared for each other so much like normal siblings do, but at times, it was a true “love-hate” relationship between us. I didn’t always agree with the choices he made but knew nobody’s perfect. I certainly had no right to judge him the way I did at times. I think I just always felt like if I stood up to him and spoke the truth, I wouldn’t be enabling him. I just wanted him to know I didn’t agree with his lifestyle choices that were ultimately not entirely his fault I might add. Trying to show the tough love that’s so hard but necessary sometimes. You see, Donovan worked on an oil rig and got hurt when he was in his early 20's. Had his 1st back surgery, then a 2nd 4 years after the first one. Then by the time he was about 35, he had his final 3rd back surgery to correct and replace what went wrong with the first 2. So his back was never right as you can imagine. But the amount of prescription pain killers they prescribed him was beyond ridiculous. He used to take 3xday 30mg roxys, and 10mg percocets for break through pain as needed up to 3Xday. That’s a lot of damn pills for one dude regardless of his size. Nonetheless, he always got them filled bc he knew he would go into withdrawals without them. And that’s the worst thing to feel when your dependent on opioids. Donovan also use them as trade/backup money if he needed to.. He had traded his prescriptions the month before he died to pay rent and deposit for his new place. So Donovan’s tolerance was very low when he picked up his prescriptions just the day before his accident. And I’ll never forget getting woke up on our 2nd to last day on vacation in beautiful Destin...My husband asking me sternly to wake up and call my mom or dad, and other brother bc they’d all been calling for nearly 2 hours now. And it was only 6:30am at the time. . Then my MIL walked in and said she too had missed calls from all of them. I knew right then in my heart exactly what they were about to say. My heart jumped straight to my throat when the phone started ringing as I called my mom back. As soon as she picked up the phone I heard this intense moan and painful swallow she made when she started to talk but couldn’t. But I already knew what she was about to say. I knew in my heart and it made me snap inside. I was so mad at Donovan. I went outside and yelled at the top of my lungs every foul mouth word I could think of. Threw some beach chairs and was flat out pissed. I wanted Donovan here in front of me so I could tell him this was bullshit and he had no right to die. How dare him? My amazing trip had soon turned to one I never wanted to remember. And now every time I think about the beach.. I think about how “sad mad” I got when I had to hurry home early from vacation bc the funeral home was waiting on me to see Donovan one last time before he was cremated. I was mad at Donovan bc I was mad at myself. I had so much regret and thoughts of whether or not I was too hard on him the last time we spoke? And I felt horrible that I wasn’t there with him to help him. Or revive him. And he died by accident all alone. My brother knew drugs and was built like a tank. But it doesn’t matter if your tolerance is low. This is why so many that relapse accidentally die. They try to pick up where they left off. Donovan was born on July 13th and died July 30th just a couple weeks after his 40th birthday. He loved his family so much and especially his two boys. They have both graduated high school and are becoming fine young men. Donovan I hope you watch over us everyday the way I think of you. I’m sorry for all the hurtful things I ever said to you. I love you more than you’ll ever know and I’ll never forget all the funny memories we shared and contagious laugh you always had. Even during the hardest of rains, you seemed to shine. Always finding the good in everything and everyone. Your very missed and loved. I’ll see you again someday but until then, stay cool big brother! Posted 11/07/2019

To my beautiful baby sister Paige, I miss you and love you today as much as the day you left us. I will continue to keep your memory alive and fight to end this epidemic. I miss you. Williamsport, PA, USA