My beautiful son, Jon died on July 7, 2014 as a result of an accidental overdose from illegally prescribed opioids. He was just 26 and embracing a life full of hope and dreams in Silicon Valley as he was building a start-up software company. His loss is so profound and so preventable. The waves of grief follow and impact the many family members; parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, along with Jon’s girlfriend, his puppy, many friends, and a community that lost a bright light with so much yet to give. His story needs to be told as all the others that we have lost and continue to lose. We all need to stay steadfast in our efforts to bring awareness, education, and accountability to our medical professionals/community, and offer support, empathy, and help to all those impacted by the disease of addiction.
Amy Cooper, Mother and Outreach Director with the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse
San Francisco