John Joseph Hurtuk IV 10/10/90-06/27/16 25 years 8 months 17 days Son, brother, uncle, friend. An amazing worker, fisherman to be exact. He was going on back to back trips so he could stay clean, bringing in thousands of dollars and still managed to stay sober. Until that one day that he decided one more time would be okay, it wasn't okay. My first forever friend was taken away by heroin, he fought so hard to get clean, to stay clean. Remember that one last time could be your last time. Forever missed, forever loved, never forgotten. I love you John I hope your story can help to save a life, I won't let your death be in vain.

To my perfect son Shawn ALWAYS LOVED NEVER FORGOTTEN your my joy my best friend I carried you for nine months in my body I watched you as you had your own children I watched you grow and felt safe when you were in jail I never ever thought about death and never entered my mind to think I'd get a call that you died it took me three times when your father told me Shawn's dead I was like what the first time the second time he said it I was like shawn who than it hit me finally the third time he was telling me you died I lost my life that day cause you were my only son and your three sister were devastated there nothing in this world that I want nothing except you I don't care about anything but you my son was born 8/3/88 died 3/23/16 he was such an awesome man he loved his kids first he just wanted us to be a family we lost our house two years before he passed away I was on a greyhound bus when this happened 37 hrs from Massachusetts to Florida to help my father who was sick at the time and I never thought I'd get that dreaded phone call ever my son was my best friend my protector my everything I miss you so much Shawn my heart's broken I'll always keep you alive in my heart and I'll always mention you cause I'll never let anyone forget you were alive

Stuart

I lost my best friend to an overdose. It was one of the hardest days i have encountered. I am still grieving,  its only been a lil over a month. I still am in shock, i see your princess of a daughter as much as i can. I see you so much in her, i know that you are still with us. Your presence is felt everday. I will continue to learn as much as i can and continue to put my experience out there. I will never forget you or the precious time we spent together. Until we meet again my sweet. R.i.p. jason hicks.

Quentin was only a junior in high school. I didn’t even know him very well, just seen him around school. It was New Years Eve and he overdosed and died today because of it. No one thinks it’ll happen to them and they’ll be lucky, but it can literally happen to ANYONE who takes too much of too many different things. Be safe.

Matt-
You were a ray of sunshine in all our lives, one of the most kind & loving people I've ever known. We all miss you. I'll never forget all the things you reminded me, such as what friendship really is, true compassion and empathy.

Portland, OR, USA

In sweet, loving memory of Renier Lifeguard Larry Schoeman, passed on of a drug overdose on January 27th 2013. The battle was just too big son - you fought it with your whole heart. You will always be in our hearts.

Franky Couture- 6/23/87 - 3/8/16
We all LOVE YOU FRANKLIN! Your truly missed & never forgotten! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Methuen

My love of my life and bestfriend died of an overdose August 18th 2015 . Andrew Loveland was an amazing person and just struggle with substances for quit some time. As have I. We miss him so much. I miss him so much. I miss our talks and most of all i miss his voice and eyes. I know hes here still with us in spirit. Its been a long hard year for us all and I am fighting real hard to make sure I keep he memory alive and to stay clean myself

Leemer, I feel you with me and I am constantly reminded of you. I’ll always remember how selfless and hilarious you were. I miss you and will keep your memory alive and strong. Thank you for teaching me so many things and for being a good friend.

David Livingston, It's is so hard to live a day without you. How can one find healing when knowing the battle that a love one couldn't beat. You was my husband, my friend, a part of me will never be whole. Watching you slip away was like watching me died inside. You was loving, caring, and gave to so many. You told me that you thought i would be great as a drug counselor, however the one person i couldn't save was you. My hope and wish is that I'm can use your memory to help others before another family has to say goodbye to their love one... 6/29/1973-5/9/2016 Always in my heart Tracy

For my big brother who passed on April 20th. Remembering you is easy I do it everyday missing you is heartache that never goes away. Kitchener

My baby brother Matt Bertulli died of a heroin overdose at barely the age of 27. He was intelligent, out-going, caring, loving and handsome; he dedicated his life to helping others by working as an anesthetic technician at Milford Hospital.  He loved football, music, cars and hanging with his friends. He was enrolled in nursing school at the time of his death. I miss him everyday and have started a foundation in his memory called Missin' Matt which will be holding its first annually walk in Milford on September 12th. All money raised will be for opening a treatment center to serve our community. To my brother: Matt I love you, I miss you and I'm so proud to call you my brother, Fly high baby brother. Until we meet again. Love your Big Sister, Megs

My brave Max, we miss you more than words can express. Your gooness inspires me to be the best that I can be. Your kindness mattered and continues to matter. You made a huge difference in this world. We love you and you will never be forgotten. You will always stay safe in my heart. Mom

Joseph turner. 2-21-1982. 8-25-2015 Andover

Lost my daughter Erin on 8/22/2015. My heart will forever be broken. Missing her everyday. Please don't let another feel this was. This illness must stop.

Homer, New York

I lost my only son Richard J. Yaskolka on June 24,2010 due to an accidental drug overdose..Our lives will never be the same..the heartache that no one understands unless they have walked in our shoes...our children are not supposed to go before us...I believe that God took our son home to end the pain and suffering he was enduring..he was clean for 6 weeks and decided to try one more time...well the one more time killed him...I miss my son so very much every minute of every day..people say you have to move on...well it's not possible to move on without your child..I love you Richie and will love you forever and ever..until we meet again...Love, Mom xoxoxo

To our beloved daughter Sara Mishler who lost her battle. You are missed more than you know💔 9/20/90 - 10/29/15 Mechanicsburg PA / USA

My baby brother, Daniel, was taken too early. He was just 25, on june 15 2007 when we lost him. I think of you everyday and miss you every minute. I know you're watching down on me and my girls. xoxo MMDS

My best friend lost her battle with addiction in 2012 at just 21 years old. She introduced me to my soon-to-be wife(her cousin). She was an awesome titi to my children. She had such a beautiful soul. There are so many moments in my life that feel so empty without her. It seems addiction takes the most wonderful people. I miss her so much and I think about her everyday. I look for her around every corner. Her life was such a blessing to me. I LOVE AND MISS YOU A.W.!

Miss you everyday dad

My sweet boy Douglas Alan lost his battle with this life, with his addiction and everything that comes with it on April 17, 2017. When the ambulance I was riding in with him in the back pulled into the hospital I heard him distinctly say - its OK mom, I'm free. I'm glad the darkness he lived in on this planet is over and now IS the light. Love you always and forever Dougie - Momma Dayton Ohio USA

My message is to my cousin Kathy, God Bless her, and the emotional pain she has gone thru...for many, many years. also to her son Jonathan, who is no longer with us, and for the pain he went thru as well. I hope he is resting now and I hope my cousin can someday be at peace. I just want her to know that she was a wonderful mother and that it could have been anyones child. Much love, your cousin, Beth.

Angela Maria Pasta 3/28/1976 - 9/28/2015   My Sweet Sister Angie, A hole ripped through our family the day you left us. You are so loved! We will never be the same. Your boys will never be the same. We watched heroin destroy you and there was nothing we could do. I miss you terribly little sister.....every minute of every day!!! Fly high my Angel!!!!

In loving memory of Michael D. Frank.  My husband of 23 years, my friend for 29 years, our daughter's father of 18 years.  He was lost to an accidental overdose on 1/22/16 after years of chronic pain.

R.I.P.  Brandon Robert Earl November 23, 1982- March 31, 2016

I lost my best friend Trev, accidentally. He was the most incredible good guy. Not a day goes past without me thinking about him. Its been 10 years, and I love him and miss him, like the day it happened. Rest in peace beautiful man xxxx

My daughters dad lost his life to a methadone overdose a few weeks before his 22nd birthday. We miss him dearly and the pain all of his family and myself have felt is unbearable. Rip Jon Michael

Lorie.. Sadly missed, fly high Angel.

To Travis Wilson  We all prayed for your recovery and sadly now we pray for your peace. You are missed by your parents, sister and brother-in-law, nephew, niece, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, Layla and Moe.  We just wish we you could have conquered this addiction. We are proud that you tried. 'Til we meet again, loving you.

Murray you are missed. You are remembered. xx

Derek Hatcher died on February 21, 2016 from an overdose of heroin and Fentanyl. He was an outstanding college quarterback who loved life to the fullest, until drugs took over. His legacy lives on through the foundation set up by his family to raise awareness of substance abuse and addiction using Derek's words "Don't pick up, it's not worth it!"

Middleburg, FL

To: Andrew (6/15/91-10/11/12) My dear son, I think about you every minute of everyday. How could an evil drug take hold of such a wonderful son? I am so lucky to have had you for 21 years. I love you Andrew, my precious son…

Remembering Mark York. You were larger than life.  I hope your kids and family never doubt how much you loved them.  I know nothing else matters to you Brother. I'll see you again.

In loving memory of my sons, Rian Collier Leinweber and Tyler Cameron Leinweber. Two remarkable men that lost their lives due to drug overdose. We miss you more than words can say. We will fight this war on drugs in rememberance of you. With love, Mom and family.

My boyfriend Jason died February 20, 2015. He'd be 30 this coming August. He is missed dearly, he was such a special man.

Five weeks ago, my smart, strong, funny, sweet big brother died of an overdose. One of his last acts was saving my mom’s life, taking her to the emergency room because of an asthma attack. He was 30. The world is different forever now. Brother, not a day of my life will pass without me missing you. Thank you for always being there for me, and I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you most needed me. Love you always. A hui ho. Until we meet again.

For Cory, Your beautiful heart lives on each and every day. Your inspiration is the light that guides us to the winds of change and your helpful spirit will continue to live on and make a difference. We love and miss you.

Andrew John Patrick Betts Aged 27 yrs – Born March 23rd, 1987 Died July 1st, 2014 of an Accidental Overdose. So many questions but none of that matters my precious boy. Our son is gone. My heart is broken. The fog of grief envelops our family. It’s time to end the stupid, pointless ‘war on drugs’ and just defund the damn drug lords and put them on trial for crimes against humanity. Addicts need to be able to get treatment on demand and for those who can’t quit, by legalizing the clinical dispensation of pharmaceutical heroin, and other substitute medicines, clean needles and safe places to inject for those who need it thousands of lives can be saved. Just do the cost-benefit analysis. It should be a no-brainer – a job perfectly suited for the current crop of politicians and CEOs now running – I mean ruining – our country.

My Dearest Son, Life is so different without you here. So much hurt daily without you here, most of all your children. Losing you to a drug your doctor put you on is so hard for me to accept. I wish I could just see you face to face. Time is no healer to losing a child. It does not become easier, just different. And when you lose your child to a drug, it makes the heart sadden not just because of the child you lost but to all the parents who say goodbye to their child because of drugs. It seems the numbers are rising. It's Heartbreaking. I miss you so much son . Love to Heaven Mom Daris Shields 11-28-1980 - 11-03-2010 forever young

My son James died of a heroin overdose on 6-29-15 at the age of 19. He was due to earn his master scuba certification and then off to university August 27. James had done so well but began to slip into a bit of a depression. On the 29th I heard him get out of bed to go to the bathroom, wash up and brush his teeth. All sounded fine. Three hours later he was dead in his chair and I will never forget that day. We are all becoming more aware of how these young (and older) people are dying and what an epiddemic heroin has become, but I want to impart on you how James lived his life. He did not wake up one day and decide to be an addict....he wanted to be a marine biologist, get married some day and have a family. He was well groomed, clean, funny, smart and a firecely loyal friend. James was compassionate and empathetic. He would help anyone in need at any hour and his smile brightened most prople's lives. As his Mum I am still struggling with why...what did I miss...what didn't I see or do...it happened on my watch. I miss him so much it hurts and I know the pain will be with me forever. I would give anything for one more hug...one more kiss good night...one more smile. My hope is that there is an after life and James is at peace. I don't think I could go on unless I believed that.

My Tribute is 3 (yes 3 people ) in my life who we lost to HEROIN OVERDOSES. Starting with my baby brother on 12/22/2010. Troy was 37 years old, and the proud papa to a 14 year old daughter, my godchild. My pain remains today just as it did the day we lost Troy. I can honestly say that this pain is the worst I have ever felt. So I lost my brother and best friend, Peyton's beloved "Papa" in 2010. Next came my sister-in-law Amanda (even though she and Troy were never married) on January 20 this year. My niece, who is 16, now has just lost her mother 3 years after her father. Five days after Amanda was finally laid to rest, we found her 32 year old brother Brian in his home, another victim of that monster HEROIN. It seems so unreal! Now my niece has lost both her parents, and her loving " Uncle Ugly" as she called him, in a matter of 3 years. She often feels like she must have done something to deserve this. My poor little niece is so strong!!! I am a nurse and understand that addiction is a serious disease, and also seeing my brother struggle most of his adult life with his demons. I promise you there is not one person who is an addict, who just woke up one morning and said: "Gee I'm bored, hey maybe I'll become an addict. What should I choose as my drug of choice?". It angers and saddens me at the same time what some people believe an addict to be. The general consensus among these people is either "Well you knew this would happen" and in a sick way they believe that the person was just someone who chose to do drugs and should have expected this would happen. I was so glad to run across this site and to see that that there are people who understand and want to spread awareness! THANKS!!!!

Merritt, It's been a little over a month since you died and it still seems like a bad dream. Sofia and I miss you more than words could ever say. I know the way you died is in no way a reflection of who you were and who you could have been. You turned 31 not quite 3 weeks before you died and that's so sad because 31 years was not even time for you. The almost 6 years we spent together and the almost 3 years you had with our beautiful daughter was just not enough. Our little girl misses you so incredibly much and it's just not fair that she has to grow up without you. I know you didn't mean to leave us and yet that doesn't help ease the pain. My prayer and hope now is that you are finally at peace, that the demons tormenting you and leading you to self-medicate are all gone and you are finally free, happy, and at peace. I'll always love you and I'll make sure our beautiful girl knows just how much her daddy loved her. Rest in peace Merritt. I know we will see you again one day.

My son Devin Temple died of an apparent heroin overdose, he would have been 20 years old March of 2016. He passed November of 2015. He was an amazing kid, who could light up any room with his smile.  He was the class clown and love to make people laugh.  I miss him terribly,  but his 19 year old sister. Ideas him more!!!  I love you Bug!!!  Rest in Paradise!!!!

This is not a tribute I have a son using herion not a day goes by that I cry for him to stop. I have tried everything to help him stop. I even sent him away to live with someone else all I can do now is pray it stops here before I get that call that he's gone. I'm just a mother in pain.

Remembering my beautiful niece today, and every day who was lost to soon at the young age of 22, Logann Rae Coffee. Also my many friends who were taken to soon as well Jimmy Milone, Eric Christopher Johnson, and so many more.

Hey baby doll, it's been 5 months and I miss reading the texts you send. Your humour was priceless to me. I miss you and love you.

To my brother, best friend, hero, lifesaver, confidant, comrade, my favorite in all the world... I love you. I think of you every morning, every day, and every night. I walk these streets that are crowded and yet so empty without you here. Our neighborhood is full of people, places, and things that remind me of you and the beautiful person you are. I am proud of the recovery you had and know how many lives you changed in your sobriety. I struggle to let go of the accident that woke the wild beast that you went to every length to fight, day in and day out for four amazing years. You will always be the most special person to me. With all my love, Your sister Beck

Our beautiful youngest son, Nicholas Andrew Roark, died at home on July 30, 2016 at the age of 40.  Although the death certificate still says pending because they are waiting on toxicology results, I know that drugs -- probably heroin -- was the cause of his passing.  He fought the battle against heroin for at least 5-7 years, but his fight with drugs started much younger. At 17 he began smoking marijuana, and his drug use escalated from there.  He said it all started out as fun, but developed into something else, a need. I loved him so much, beyond all reason, and I miss him so much.  Although there were many bad days, there were many more good days. He had a gentle soul and tried to manage his addiction, but that beast was relentless and returned time and time again to take almost everything away from him -- his career, his marriage, his motivation, his hobbies.  But it couldn't take his kindness, his beautiful smile, his love for his family and our love for him.  I hope he is in a better place and at peace. I no longer fear death because perhaps our souls can reconnect in the afterlife, God willing.

To: My Son Quentin, died from a accidental overdose, 27 years old died on March 23, 2010. The best son ever...missed so much and loved forever. See you in heaven dear heart! Moms

Cory had this contagious laugh and a way to make you smile even when you didn't want to. He was my husband my best friend my soul mate for sure ! We have 2 beautiful little girls 9&6 yrs and he was an amazing daddy who didn't care if he had pink finger nails and doing girly things with his girls yet taught them to fish and camp and enjoy life! He was a man who was so proud to serve his country and when he had to retire early for medical reasons began his nasty battle. He may have lost here on earth but I know he won in Heaven! He was the greatest man I ever knew Love you forever and more MR Kokomo Indiana