Someone died from an overdose two blocks from our home yesterday

Today is my 52nd birthday.   I am alive today, and, I get to live a full and amazing life, because of my life in recovery.    Yesterday evening, two blocks from our house, someone died from an overdose. 

It's weighing on my mind this morning knowing that this happened.    It's close to home for me in many ways.   Proximity, yeah, two blocks from our home.    That's close to home.   It's also close to home for me because it could easily have been me multiple times when I was in active addiction.  In fact, it just so happens, where the overdose happened, is just a couple of blocks from where I used to live, and was in active addiction in 2006.  Seriously, it could easily have been me in another time and space.

Everyday, there are too many overdoses.  The numbers are truly astronomical.  Every day in America we lose over 200 lives due to overdoses.   Lives washed away by addiction.   Yesterday, one of those was just two blocks from our home.

I will spend the rest of my days working to fight for change in this area.   No matter whether you believe addiction is a choice, or, a medical condition, or, something only able to be cured by God, it should matter that lives are being lost at crazy rates right in our backyard.   Literally, someone overdosed two blocks from our home last night. 

When one overdose happens, one life is lost, there are so many other lives effected forever.   Parents of an overdose victim carry with them many feelings of sorrow, guilt, and shame for the rest of their days.   Children of overdose victims are traumatized forever by the loss of a parent.   Brother, sisters, cousins, friends, and all others who knew one overdose victim, carry with them many feelings about that one overdose and life lost.

It should matter in a big and massive way when we lose just one person to an overdose, let alone ridiculous numbers we are seeing everyday.   We should be gathering in large numbers to find ways to help people with addiction.  I am 52yrs old today.  At 29yrs old my life was over in many ways.  I am just lucky I wasn't a statistic from an overdose.  Because of access to resources I am celebrating my 52nd birthday today.  How am I celebrating?

I have already sent and responded to several messages locally and nationally this morning in the area I want to effect change in.   My life mantra is this:   "I want to create pathways for people to live a life in recovery".   I do this my being actively involved at many levels.  Locally I have been an integral part in our local school district to help young people live positive lives.  I am actively involved in a mentor program to help shape young lives in a positive way.   I teach at university and meet with students regularly in my office sending a message of hope for all who will listen.   I am on committees and boards where I get to share a voice to illicit change in these areas.

I imagine a world where getting treatment and long term recovery supports isn't bogged down in belief systems that don't allow for funding in these critical areas.  I imagine, in every city in our great nation, recovery community organizations that are easily accessible for all who need it.  I imagine a scenario where getting treatment is just as easy as it is to get the drugs that cause the deaths.  I imagine this and so much more.

There was an overdose two blocks from our home and I guarantee you that this was just another case of a life lost, and for those who see it everyday, they walk away with a saddened heart. I know our first responders see these scenarios all too often.  I heard the talk on the scanner and the voices calling for a coroner to go to the scene.   Another overdose, another death.    Yet, I can only imagine the toll this has on those who see it everyday.

At 40 yrs old, just a few blocks from this latest overdose, I could have easily been the next call.  I am fortunate, I know I am.   I am fortunate because I was able to get access to resources.  Treatment, counseling, physicians, jobs, education, and the support and continued help of family and friends.  See, the thing is about addiction and recovery, is it isn't a linear path.   I don't know to many people who walk into recovery and go straight up from there. It is much like other areas of life.  It has its ups and downs.  Imagine if I was simply another statistic.

I will fight, for the rest of my days on this earth, to change the views our society holds on those who suffer from addiction.  I will fight, from this day, my 52nd birthday, for all of the families of overdose victims, so their losses are not in vain.   I will fight for our young people who want to live a life in recovery.  Recovery is NOT something to be ashamed of, or, to keep hidden.  Recovery is amazing and there should be zero stigma attached. I will fight to eliminate the stigma that goes with addiction and recovery. 

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