When we have done all the work we were sent to do,
we are allowed to shed our bodies,
which imprisons our soul like a cocoon encloses the butterfly
and when the time is right we can let go of it.
Then we will be free of pain, free of fears and free of worries –
free as a beautiful butterfly returning home to God...
~ Elisabeth Kubler–Ross ~
*****THEY WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED*****
Angel and Memorial Area 2007 Angel Tree 2007
The 2008 version of the Angel tree is growing as you can see in the pictures below.
A mother who not only lost her own son, Larry (Bubba) Benis, also pays tribute to many others.
As these beautiful pictures show how she has created a memorial in honor of our loved ones.
Bonnie is a blessing to keep our family members that were lost far too soon in her heart and home.
Thank you Bonnie !!!
************************************************************************************************************
Robby L. Garvin - My Loving Son
Born 8-15-81, Died 6-11-2006 KILLED BY METHADONE & THE DOCTOR WHO GAVE
IT TO HIM FOR PAIN ON HILTON HEAD, SC
Beaufort, SC
24 years old
Death caused by Methadone toxicity. Robby died 40 hours after he took his first dose of this drug that was prescribed to him for pain. Robby was never informed by the prescribing doctor or the pharmacy that filled this prescription of the dangers and possible death that Methadone may cause. Thousands of people are dying each year from this drug. If Robby had been told of these dangers he would have never taken it and would still be alive today. He had the right to know, he had the right to be told, he had the right to decide if he wanted to take that risk. Robby took this drug as prescribed and it was the only drug in his toxicology report.
The day I lost Robby, I lost most of myself. When he wasn't at home he always called sometimes over the littlest things. I miss his love, his never ending help, his voice, how we stayed up late watching t.v. together, how he bonded with his younger sister Cachet (17) and his younger brother Travis (16). We were so much alike (both Leo's) even our Birthday's were 3 days apart and always celebrated them together. He is my special "Angel" and I am thankful for the part he played in my life and for so many others. I will never get over losing him, the pain will never go away and the tears will always be there, my baby boy.
I love you Robby and we all miss you so very much. Love Mom
*****************************************************************************************************************************
In Loving Memory of:
David Paul Sobek, Jr February 28, 1982 - March 14, 2008
Melissa Nicole Edgell September 14, 1983 - March 29, 2007
One by one I read their pages for each of their loss, I sadly feel their pain
Though our stories are different, they are still quite the same, this deadly drug has struck again.
As I read their stories and look at their pictures, tears flood my eyes until I am blind.
My sad heart leaves me feeling so helpless, I pray for those that are left behind.
At the age of 17, I gave birth to a beautiful fair haired, blue eyed baby boy.
I loved him so dearly, with all my heart, he brought my life so much joy.
Never did I imagine that his time here on earth would be so short, I assumed he would be my son forever.
Never did I imagine that my heart could feel so much pain, couldn’t imagine my life without him ever!
He found love in Melissa he loved her with all of his heart but methadone also took her young life.
All of their plans that they made together, their dreams, all gone before she even become his wife.
When I visit with his baby daughter I am happy but yet I am sad.
Her smile, her expressions, remind me of him, she has blue eyes just like her dad.
Searching online for others who have lost a love one to methadone, and who’s lives are now changed forever.
Methadone has torn our lives as we knew them and our family’s apart, we will never be the same now, never!
Together we must stand strong and put an end to this drug, not allow one more person to die.
It would be a blessing to have this drug banned, prevent one more death, give me one less reason to cry.
By
Tina L. Sobek
David and Melissa Showing their love Brianna (daughter) Melissa
In Loving memory of my son David Paul Sobek jr 02/28/82 -03/14/08
David was a very giving person. He would give his last dime to a homeless person. He had his share of problems. He wasn’t perfect but I loved him through it all. I never gave up on him ever! David was incarcerated at the time of Melissa’s death. He never got a chance to grieve as he should have. Shortly after David’s death, I received a letter from a cellmate of his who told me that David encouraged him to go to AA and NA. David even told him that they had donuts and movies there to try to get him to go. He told his cell mate that life was going to be tough when he was released and that he had to be strong. I wish that David would have taken his own advise! Less than three weeks after David’s release, two days after receiving his prescription for methadone, xanex, and oxycontin, my son died. My life will never be the same. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. I cry myself to sleep still. I love you David….
In my thoughts and prayers forever
******************************************************************************************************************************
In Loving Memory of: Travis Jon Winner 30 years old
October 7, 1976 - January 31, 2007
( Fentynal Overdose)
******************************************************************************************************************************
In Loving Memory of: Brandon Lee Hardesty 27 years old
May 18, 1977 - February 13, 2005
******************************************************************************************************************************
In Loving Memory Of Renato (Ron) Capozzo
Born 11-17-73, Died 6-24-2006
32 years old
On June 24th, 2006 I lost my fiance (Ron) to this deadly drug prescribed by a physician with a combination of other medications that acted as additives to the Methadone. He had knee surgery and became addicted to the percocet he was prescribed. He checked himself into Greenleaf Center in Valdosta, GA for detoxofication. Upon entering the facility he was drug tested and did not come up positive for opiates (he had stopped taking the percocet 4 days before entering the facility). On the 4th day in detox he died sometime between 2am and 1pm in the afternoon ( he was never checked on in all of those hours) The night before he died he was complaining of migraines and vomiting, apparently the staff thought he was still experiencing withdrawals and was not concerned about these symptoms. The symptoms of methadone toxicity mimic withdrawal symptoms, physicians and staff must be very cognizant of the complex properties and metabolization of methadone. There were many errors made in my fiance's death including the fact that he was given numerous amounts of addictive medications such as benzodiazepines. He had only been taking percocet for about 4 months and according to the DSM IV he wouldn't be an appropriate candidate for methadone maintenance treatment.
I am not sure if Ron was given methadone for the sole purpose for detoxification from opiates or if it was a combination of pain relief associated with numerous surgeries and opiate addiction. Methadone is difficult to properly dose no matter what reason it is being used for primarily relies on the patient's indications of how they feel (assumedly they are being monitored). There are ways to make the administration of methadone safer, it's just a matter of putting the focus on this drug and the deadly consequences when administered incorrectly or not monitored.
Ron was 32 years old and has 2 children from a previous marriage that now do not have a father.
Ron you are truly missed and loved by all who knew you.
Melissa Z.
__________________________________________________________________________________
_
In Loving Memory
Justin Cody Herriage
4-6-80 / 1-12-05 (24 years old)
Justin developed a pain addiction in 2004 after his appendix ruptured. He spent 10 days in the hospital and became addicted to the Vicodinn that he was given for the pain upon leaving. He heard of a Methadone Clinic that would treat opiate addictions and, being the trusting person that he was, he entered the program. He advised them that he was on Zoloft. He went 5 days during which time they DOUBLED his dosage. During the 5 days he was nodding off during the day and falling asleep at the wheel which indicated he was not receiving the proper amount.
On 1-12-05 he went and got his morning dose of Methadone. On the way home, he became very sleepy and briefly fell asleep but woke back up (a danger of people on Methadone). He made it to our alley and passed out, ran into our neighbor's fence, woke up, backed up and came into the house. He made a phone call then laid down and just went to sleep. I returned home that night from a business trip around 9 pm and found him. A mother should never have to find her son dead. I had no idea he was going to the clinic. He didn't want to tell me. My world stopped and my life would never be the same. My life is now defined as "before Justin died" and "after Justin died".
He never should have been admitted to the program as Zoloft inhibits the metabolism of Methadone. He went for help and they MURDERED him. The clinic was too busy running to the bank to deposit the money to remember to check the long list of drugs that interract with Methadone that cause a lethal reaction.
It took 3 months to get his autopsy. The only thing in his system was Methadone and Zoloft. The findings...."Lethal dosage of Methadone", which matched what the clinic had given him.
Our lives will never be the same. His friends say he had the ability to cheer them up, no matter how down they were. We all could use one of his bear hugs or jokes or pep talks now.
He was an amazing son, brother, musician, artist, friend, coworker and character in hundreds of peoples lives. He had his own "language" and words that only he used as well as nicknames for everyone. He was so loving and compassionate, loved animals, children and had a soft spot in his heart from an early age for anyone that was at a disadvantage for any reason. He treated everyone in the world the same and saw only what was on the inside.
He never got to meet his brand new half brother and sister who were only 10 days old at the time. He didn't get to meet his little nephew who was born 6 months later. He would have adored them and they would have loved him. They will forever hear his stories. His nephew was named after him. Dylan CODY Herriage, what an honor.
He made me Birthday, Mother's Day and Valentines Day cards. He called me at work just to say hello and tell me he loved me (at age 24). He ended every conversation with "I Love You Mom." Thankfully our last conversation ended the same way.
Justin, you will forever be missed and remembered and loved. You touched all of us with your compassion, wit, spirit, sense of humor, music and love. We are forever changed because of you. Be at peace my angel.
JUSTIN CODY HERRIAGE 4-6-80 / 1-12-05
__________________________________________________________________________________
In Memory Of My Son
JAMES FRANKLIN PETHAL III
July 12, 1983 - September 4, 2006
23 years old
Rest In Peace My Son
I saw my son on 9-3-06, he had just paid $140.00 for a campsite where he was going to try to get his life together and to be closer to his job as a landscaper. He and I got all the things we would need to camp together and he added oil to his truck, as it was smoking when he pulled into my drive only he goofed and put a bottle of transmission fluid in there instead. He was mad at himself and called his dad and I went to get oil while he drained the mess he had put in there. He was angry as I heard him say to his dad " you tell that junkie friend of yours (skeet) to be at your house and fix my truck right this time. Oh, how I wished he would have went on to the campsite but no he had to go back to his Dads one last ime. I laughed at Jamie as he was telling his dad about the truck and I commented to him that maybe he shouldn't get so upset about small things. He said "Mom, wouldn't you get upset too if some junkie who you paid to fix your car didn't fix it right." I just said, "Jamie, you know that wouldn't happen". He came inside before he left, sat on the couch, I was in the chair and I said, "Jamie, I really hope you will get your s--- together this time because you look really bad". He pulls off his shirt to show off his weight loss and said, "Mama, you don't think I look good?" I said, "no I don't, I want to see that Jamie back that was clean, so good-looking, and so sweet. He got up to leave and bent down and gave me a hug and a kiss ( he had the biggest bear hugs in the world). That was about 3:30 pm. I called his Dads around 5:30 - 6:00 pm and he wasn't there. Jamie called me back a little later and I could tell he was messed up. I said, what have you taken since you left my house? He said, "I haven't taken anything and you don't believe anything I say. He then hung the phone up on me. He had changed drastically is such a short time. That was the last time I ever spoke to my son.
About 10:00 am on Sept. 4th, 2006, I called his dads house as he was suppose to call me so his stepdad and I could help him set up the tent. No amswer. About 3:00 pm, my mom calls and is screaming and crying and said, Mary, Jamie's dead. I will never get that phone call out of my head. Maybe he's not dead, I told my husband, maybe mom just got confused. My husband called 911 and they confirmed there had been a fatality at his Dads residence but weren't releasing any names. My husband told me, no honey, he is dead. I didn't know where to go or what to do. We went to the hospital and Jamie's body had not arrived yet so we waited. The Medical Examiner came in and I told her I wanted to see him, she said, I could if he were not in a sealed up bag. He came in a sealed bag so I did not even get to see him. I answered some questions and told her to use any tissue or organs that they could for it was on his driver's license to donate. Jamie couldn't even do that because she said in order to donate the body could not be more than 12 hours old. She suspected Jamie had been dead a long time. I was so angry that his father and some of Jamie's friends left him to die and didn't bother to call 911 even after he told them, "Dad, you are going to be mad at me, I took some Methadone." He puts a cold rag on his son and leaves him in his truck as he was snoring loudly and lay there dying. It is also believed that he was on the couch and died there but his body was moved after his death. Will I ever be sure? No, but the blanket that I gave him the night before was laying on the couch when I got there. The people at that house claims he was never seen after 7:00 pm the night before. Pathology test revealed Jamie had severe pneumonia and it is believed he was out of it for many hours and that is why the phenonia set it. It was ruled acute Methadone toxicity with xanax as a contributing factor. A very small amount of xanax was found in his system, nothing else. Now, where we stand through a criminal investigation is (Rumor) A women who Jamie had been friends with her son sold him 25 methadone pills, 8 pills were found on his person and have been sent off to a lab for confirmation. Next (Rumor) is he bought someone's liquid methadone from someone he met at Wal-Mart in Concord. Which is true? I may never know. I miss Jamie so much, I think more now than when it happened. A couple months before he died, he asked me if I was ready to be a Grandma? I said no only because he wasn't being responsible for himself, much less a child. The girl was unsure if the baby was Jamie's as they had only slept together one time. I had a tissue sample saved and sent to a DNA company and on November 24, 2006, Davi was born, 3 weeks after his birth, test revealed 99.99% Jamie had a son. He is the bright spot of my life now. He looks so much like his daddy with that dark hair and those pretty blue eyes. I know Jamie would have loved him dearly. Mary Haynes (Salisbury, NC)
__________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory Of
Brian Bolding
Born 3-14-76, Died 5-9-05
29 Years Old
Everyone loved Brian. He was a soft-spoken kind, easy going and loving boy. He had a child-like manner at times. He was teased at times by his friends by them calling him "a mama's boy". Brian and I were extremely close. He was the "light of my life". He was the type of son who would always call on me or his Dad for our opinion on any major decision. He lived at home off and on after graduating from high school. He was living at home when he died on May 9, 2005.
Brian was a sports enthusiast. When he was younger he played soccer, basketball and ran track. He acquired many trophies, many taking first place in soccer. He would watch any sport on television with great enthusiasm.
He took his first job at Sears in the Parts Department when he was 16 years old. He met the mother of his child there. He graduated from Union High school while he continued to work at Sears. Brian worked there for aobut 4 years. He was very conciencious about his job and was a hard worker. His hobbies were golf, movies, working out (weight lifting and jogging), pool and eventually his son (Zachary Blaine Bolding).
Brian moved out of our home after graduation and rented an apartment with his girlfriend to be there for the birth of his child who was born December 7, 1994.
He loved his child dearly. He bonded with his son immediately. He pitched in and helped keep the house clean, changed diapers, cooked and held down a full time job. Brian accepted his responsibilities. I did try to teach him responsibility. However, when anyone becomes addicted to drugs things change, their priorities change. It is a terrible sickness.
After 2 years, he and his girlfriend separated and Brian moved back home. He spent time with Zachary whenever he could. For a few years, Zach was over every other weekend, and a month in the summer. Brian took a job at Boise Cascade Lumber Company. He worked there a total of 5 years and was a model employee.
After about 2 1/2 years, Brian decided to move out of our home and move in with a buddy whom he had grown up with. Unfortunately, this buddy was a drug addict. His so-called friend lived by himself in a home his mother had bought him. He never worked a day in his life. He sold drugs as well as took them. Brian stayed away from the drugs in the beginning. Brian met a girl and dated her about 9 months. They decided to move in together and rented a two bedroom house. She was several years younger than Brian and not quite ready to settle down. She was also jealous of my grandson. The relationship did not last.
Brian was laid off from his job at Boeing, International in 2001 and in the same week his girlfriend left him. He was devastated. Brian decided to move back in with the same so-called friend. This was beginning of Brian's demise. He was 24 years old at that time. This house was like a "Sports Bar". Guys coming and going, a lot of them old Union High School friends. It was amazing to me how many of them were experimenting with drugs. Most of these boys came from Christian families. Anyway, Brian began taking Oxycontin and Xanax. This friend he lived with finally entered into the Methadone Clinic due to his addiction to other drugs. Brian decided to try the Methadone. This is what killed him. Brian died from toxic poisoning (not overdose) from this KILLER drug, METHADONE.
Drugs can absolutely devastate a family. The person's priorities change, their demeanor changes and they usually can't kick the habit by themselves. Brian tried several times. I watched my son go thru hell trying. I went thru hell watching him. Brian did not spend as much time with Zachary during this period because he didn't want him to know about his addiction. It reached a point where my son did not want to be on drugs. I tried to get him to enter a facility, but he just had too much pride, he told me he would do it on his own. He died two weeks later from toxic poisoning from a small amount of Methadone and (2) 10 mg of diazapam.
To any of you out there who are experimenting with this drug or even thinking about trying it, DON'T!! Please get help immediately!!! Talk to someone, a pastor, or crisis center. Think of your loved ones. This is a dangerous drug with or without any other drugs taken with it.
One of the most important things in drug recovery is to break away from all of the old gang! It's almost virtually impossible to recover if you don't. There is too much temptation there, and the drugs just gain too much control over your body.
I lost the love of my life. I will never be the same again. It's been almost two years and I still cry for him every single day! Losing Brian has ruined mine and my family's life. My heart is broken!!!!!!!!!!
Carol Bolding
___________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of James Robert Williams 5/20/1980 ~ 6/18/2004 24 Years Old
My son James Robert Williams was 24 years old. He was married and had 3 beautiful children. Two sons and a daughter. James had suffered from back pain for a few years and had been given a prescription of Lori Tabs. They helped with the pain, but James abused the pills and took more than he was prescripted.
On June 16,2004 James told me that he had stopped using the LoriTabs but he needed to go to the doctor because the craving for the pills was real strong and he wanted help getting off them. We made an appointment with his doctor.
On June 18,2004 James went to the doctor, I went with him. We talked to the doctor, the same doctor that delivered my baby. He said he had something that would help with the craving. He gave James a prescription of Methadone. He said it would take the craving away. I ask that doctor 3 times if this medication was safe for him to take, he said yes its no problem. James ask him if he was sure the pills wouldn't hurt him. Again the answer was no it won't hurt you. It will only stop the craving. We left and went to fill the prescription. James took one on the way home. I dropped him off at home, 3 doors down from me.
Later that night I was out walking and he was in the yard and I stopped and talked to him for a while. James ate breakfast with us every morning. He ask me if we could have bacon tomorrow. I said yes and I got a big hug and James said I love you mom see you tomorrow. I said I love you to James, see you in the morning.
Oh June 18,2004 @ 7:48 am I was cooking his bacon and the phone rang, my James was gone, he never came for breakfast. One pill took my son away. James was the heartbeat of this family. His children now have to grow up without him. Life will never be the same.
Please stop the use of this drug. The autoapsy showed that it was the methadone that killed my son. Just one pill.
One pill + lack of knowledge = DEATH
Donna Williams (James mom)
http://www.myspace.com/dazedandconfused1313
_____________________________________________________________________________
IN LOVING MEMORY Doctor gave Methadone with Xanax, lethal combination.
Don Buell 33 Years Old
Born - April 25, 1972 Died - April 27, 2006
Brother to John Buell
IN LOVING MEMORY
John Buell 25 years old One Methadone pill took his life.
Born - January 20, 1980 Died - January 5, 2006
Brother to Don Buell
How can a drug do so much devastation to one family? The Buell family has come to learn the dangers of Methadone and how lethal and unstable it can be. Lara, sister to John and Don learnt first hand in 2006 how dangerous this drug could be after she lost two brothers, four months apart. Lara also has a sister who experienced a terrible ordeal after being prescribed this drug and through the miracle of God survived the detoxification from Methadone.
John, Lara's younger brother has been described as loving and forgiving. He had no history of using Methadone or abusing Rx drugs. One evening after he and a family member picked up a prescription for his sister they went out and partied that night. All three ingested the Methadone. "One pill killed my brother, it did not harm my two sisters. I blamed them for a long time. However, in the end he took the pill and that cost him his life. This drug is very unpredictable," says, Lara.
My brother Don died April 27, 2006 four months after John at the age of 33. He had been suffering with pain from a four wheeler accident years before that most likely led to his struggle with addiction. He had been on Methadone for sometime and was not known to abuse it. He became addicted to it immediately. It served two purposes, pain relief and his addiction, he liked the way it made him feel. The day before Don's death he went to the hospital with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and slurred speech, they sent him home. He died the next day. Lara says, " I now know the two together are fatal," meaning Methadone and Xanax, "why would a doctor prescribe both to anybody?" "I would watch him after taking this drug and he would nod in and out and could not carry on a coversation." This would happen just after one dose.
Lara's sister CeCe got on Methadone after using valium and lortab. Methadone was the current choice for such a need if someone wanted to get of other drugs. CeCe had a difficult time holding the Methadone down as she saught help at a distant clinic. As soon as she consumed it she would vomit it back up. The clinic would just increase her dose. Lara says, "why would they up her dose if she could not hold down what they initially gave her". She remembers memory loss for the six months her sister was on this drug. Other family members would tell horrifying stories about her sister. She had many episodes of dozing off even in a water fountain at one point. She had also dozed, fell and hit a lamp and it didn't even wake her up. Eventually she got tired of getting up at 3:00 in the morning to drive to the clinic in another town every day. She hated her life like this so dependent on the Methadone that she decided she wanted off. She told the doctor at the clinic and he told her "NO" not yet, she would have to start going to counseling. She decided to get off Methadone on her own since the clinic was not encouraging her decision. That choice landed her two weeks in the mental ward of the hospital and almost destroyed her life. CeCe is finally free of Methadone and all the other drugs she was taking. She recalls Methadone being the worst drug to ever take and the hardest to come off of.
Lara has joined MAMA.ORG with a passion to help fight against this killer drug. Her mom and dad are extremely heart broken with their loss, "life without them is so hard, we miss them so much everyday." Her faith is giving her the strength to go forward along with the support of her loving husband and daughter.
Lara Stawski
________________________________________________________________________________
IN LOVING MEMORY OF: SEAN JOSEPH DRISCOLL
__________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Matthew Fielder January 10, 1986 ~ August 11, 2006 20 years old
Up until August 11, 2006, I was naive to the dangers of Methadone. Now that it is too late, I am much more educated about this drug and I am much too aware of how many lives it has taken and families it has shattered. My son, Matthew, entered a Methadone Maintenance Treatment program after relapsing on pain-killers; he had been through rehab and had been drug-free for over six months. This relapse had only been going on for a little over a week when we decided on MMT, to hopefully stop his cravings for painkillers forever. Matt had started getting his life together, enrolled back in college, started going to church, and had goals and dreams for his life. He really wanted to do all this drug-free, without further relapses. He started the Methadone Clinic on Monday, August 7th and died on the 5th day of treatment, Friday, August 11. I came home from work to find him dead in the hallway of our home. He had been dead for 6-7 hours and due to the position he was in, was a sight from a horror movie. I tried to start CPR, but rigor mortis had already set in and his mouth was rigid. No mother, no father, no person, should ever have to go through this experience with their child or loved on. When I spoke to the clinic administrator, she smugly told me Matt must have "used" something with the Methadone. I knew what she was thinking - after all he's just a junkie. However, when the toxicology results came back, there was only Methadone and the other prescriptions that the doctor had approved in his system. I have read and done so much research on Methadone since Matthew was "murdered". I understand his reactions to the drug and what they meant. How the clinic and doctor ignored him and did not recognize that he was actually dying from methadone toxicity, it built up in his system as they increased the dosage until it killed him. But there are no do-overs. Methadone kills. Plain and simple. Even when administered in a controlled, clinic setting, without taking anything "extra". The only thing Matthew did was follow the doctor's orders that week - and it killed him. It is not a safe medication for pain because of the extremely long half life that people don't understand and is not safe in the MMT clinics because of the ignorance and lack of concern of the staff. There is no "safe" way to take Methadone; the only way to be safe is to stay away from it. There are too many alternatives. Matthew would have been much better off continuing with Percocet than what happened with Methadone!! Also, for drug users trying to get a "high" from Methadone, if they are not opioid tolerant, one single pill can kill them. One pill!! What a dangerous drug to be on the market or floating around in a drug dealer's hands.
What a waste for my son Matthew's life to end so needlessly at the young age of 20 because of an approved drug so dangerous and because of negligence on the part of the clinic and doctor. Matthew blessed us when he was born on January 10, 1986 and continued blessing us for 20 years. Matthew had a compassionate heart and would give his last penny if someone asked. He never knew a stranger, he would strike up conversation with anyone, anywhere, and usually have them laughing or giggling within a few minutues. His humor was a delight. Matt wore his emotions on his sleeve and hid nothing. He was sweet and kind, loving and trusting. And Matt was known for his loving hugs. On the day Matt passed away, that morning before I went to work, Matthew cupped his hands around my face and told me how beautiful I was and then gave me a huge hug and told me he loved me. How many 20 yr old young men do that with their mothers? He did not know it was his last day here on Earth, to him it was just another day. It is the last memory I have of Matthew and I together and it is very, very special. Matthew was also known for his wonderful artistic talent. By the young age of 3, you could see his talent emerge. At age 4, he was in art classes with 10-12 yr olds, because that was the level he was at. Within a few years, we also found out that he was naturally gifted in music also. He could play piano by ear and his fingers just flowed on the piano keys. But his true passion was painting. This is where he expressed himself through the good days and the bad. Vincent van Gogh paintings were interesting to him and some of Matt's paintings are brilliantly similar. And his best paintings? You know where they are... he gave them away. To friends, relatives, people he barely knew. There was one painting he did that I just loved and begged him to keep, but he gave it to his 6th grade teacher! But that was Matthew Fielder. A heart of gold. Now we know he's up there painting rainbows and sunsets for us and I thank him each time I see one. Yes, I was blessed with Matthew for 20 years, and anyone that knew him was also blessed. Matthew touched many lives and left footprints in all our hearts.
Matthew's Mom,
Terri
__________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Jeffrey James Ford 6/30/1987 ~ 9/5/2006 19 years old
Jeffrey returned to his Heavenly Home Tuesday, September 5, 2006. As his family and friends, we do not understand why, but we do know that God needed my Jeffy to add another bright light to His Kingdom. He was only 2 years old when he moved to Oklahoma. He attended elementary school in Tulsa, high school in Bristow and Mannford, Oklahoma. Jeff was a very popular student, a football player and a wrestler ~ state champion in 2004.
Jeff dedicated his life to Jesus Christ in 2001 at the Bristow Christian Center. Work was no stranger to Jeff. He was only 14 years old when he started his first job at Ugly John's Boat Marina at Keystone Lake. Later he was employed by Asplund Tree Company for aproximately 2 years. Most recently, Jeff put his welding skills to work at Hammco in Owasso, OKlahoma. Jeff was proud of his accomplishments, he was a dedicated and loyal employee. He was also very proud of his pickup truck that was finally paid for.
Jeff would light up any room. His smile was infectious. His family and friends treasured his sweetness, his humor and his thoughtfulness. He was a wonderful son and a good friend. Jeff had many friends, too many to mention, but I would like to give special mention to his special friends, Ashley, Janell, Rex, Nate and Justin.
Jeff made only one big mistake in his short life and that was taking only 1 Methadone tablet he was given for a headache. That mistake proved to be a deadly one.
Jeff will be deeply missed and forever remembered. There is comfort in the loss of Jeff to know that someday we will all gather and be reunited with him in Heaven.
I would like to share this poem ~ it brings much comfort to me:
If Tomorrow Starts Without Me…
“If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see, if the sun
should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today, while
thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time
that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that
an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand.
she said my place was ready, in heaven far above, and that I’d have
to leave behind all of those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all my life,
I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do, it seemed almost
impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad; I thought of
all that we have shared, and all the fun we’ve had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile, I’d say goodbye and
kiss you and maybe see you smile.
Then I walked through Heaven’s Gates, and I felt so much at home,
as God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, “This is eternity, and all I’ve promised you.” Today you
life on earth is past, but here life starts anew.
But you have been forgiven, and now at least you’re free. So won’t
you come and take my hand, and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for
every time you think of me, I’m right here in you heart.
Please take a moment and help stop the use of Methadone:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/472711451
BUT AS THE SONG ENDS I KNOW “I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY” LOVE MOM!
"Who You'd Be Today"
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?
Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?
Today, today, today.
Today, today, today.
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope,
Is I know I'll see you again some day.
Some day, some day, some day.
I love you my son. You are so special to me and will never be forgotten! Love, Mom
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of My Son Karl Hottenstein
Born June 21, 1982 - Died October 22, 2006 24 Years Old
In Sept. my son Karl came to me and told me he needed help that he was addicted to percocet. My fiancee Eric took my son over to our local hospital and they could not help him. The hospital gave my son a patch for anxiety and sent him away. My son called a local drug and acohol center requesting to go into a rehab. My son Karl waited five hours for an assesment and thier recomendation was intensive out-patient with their center. My son called me while he was waiting to be seen and again told me he wanted to leave because he waited so long but really needed to get off the streets. I told my son to wait because they probably wanted to see if he was serious. My son waited because he believed they were going to help him and get him into inpatient rehab.
Karl had told me several times that day how he needed to get into a facility and I was going to pay his rent and his cousin was going to care for his dog. Karl's cousin had his dog because Karl believed he was going to go to rehab that day.
It took me almost three months to get his records from this drug and acohol center. In the information they said Karl did not want to go into a rehab which i find very strange since we discussed it seveal times that day. I thought my son was given methadone from the center however Karl's family member was attending the out patient facility that Karl went to for help and the family members counsler pulled out his file and told him they did not give him methadone and how many times my son attended there.That is how I found out my son got the methadone from the streets. My son cried out for help and within six weeks I found my son dead in his apartment. I could not believe that my son was gone and how this could have happened. What happened was my son's friend bought methadone from a kid in the nieghborhood who was going to a methadone clinic and Karl and his friend split the liquid dose. Karl also had a low dose of oxycodone in his system in the coroners report. I do not think Karl really knew that if you took 1 oxycodone with a little methadone it could kill you. My son was doing ok for a little while because I got married three weeks before his death and he was doing good. I believe he relasped because he did not get the helped he cried out for. Since Oct 22,2006 my life has changed. I feel as if i lost my life through my son's death. It has been over four months and it feels as if someone ripped my insides out. I never thought I would buy a coffin for my son, let alone bury him and see his precious name on the grave site.
Forever in my heart love ma and Jessie,
Marti Hottenstein
_____________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Colt Mckenzie Porterfield
June 20, 1984 - April 17, 2006 21 Years Old
The death of my only son has taken my soul. My mother says “If you survive this, you can get through anything: because there is no greater pain”. I have been very reluctant to tell his story because he went to great lengths to keep me from knowing that he was attending a Methadone treatment center. I have searched my heart for answers, 1 know my son didn’t want to disappoint me and the dreams I had for him. I hope that his story will touch someone, and make a difference. My son grew up in a middle class home; I lived across the street from the schools so we would have easy access to all the ballgames. He started playing ball at age 4. I was a team mom and tried to support him in all areas. He was the pitcher on baseball team. Joined the swim team, played soccer several years. Wrestling and football were his favorite sports. He won state championship in wrestling his junior year. Colt was well mannered always respectful, quiet and easygoing. He was popular and had many friends .1 noticed some changes at 17, my husband said he thought that I had structured my son’s life so much that he needed some freedom. I was aware that my son was experimenting with pot and oxycontin. He assured me that this was not an everyday thing. I really thought this was just a phase: I never dreamed this would ultimately lead to his death. My son was 22 yrs old at the time of his death. He worked with my husband doing construction after high school. My son was on vacation in South Carolina at the time of his death. The cause of death was a drug induced cardiac arrhythmia. I am a registered nurse and was unaware how lethal methadone is until the death of my son. I spoke with the coroner in South Carolina and she informed me that the amount of Methadone found on them should be investigated. I requested his records and discovered he had been attending a clinic in Rossville, Georgia where he was given 6 days of take home medications. I wondered why this would be the first line of treatment for drug addiction? I researched the subject and was told that Methadone isn’t a cure that many people remain on this drug for life. The success rate for detox was 10-13%. This was astounding to me. Why would anyone choose this treatment? The dosing is subjective, increase till cravings subside. They actually think a drug addicted person will be able to refrain from other drugs because their given this! It makes you wonder what cliental they think they are servicing. My sons friend was allowed to take xanax with his methadone, I am sure my son thought if he could legally take both drugs it wouldn’t hurt him either. I know my son is responsible for his actions, but I feel as a society we have to control what legal drugs we have on the street. The coroner in South Carolina says the death rate is outrageous, I ask was it young people: She mentioned these were people as she put it snowbirds on Medicare that doctors were prescribing methadone because it was a cheap form of treatment. The drug stays in your system so long that many people don’t feel pain relief and take something else and death occurs. Society wake up & save our children. DEMAND stricter regulations. Ironically there is a clinic 15 miles from our home in Seymour he had never applied at. When I spoke with them they informed me that many young people travel to these clinics because of lenient practices.
Sincerely,
Karen Archer, mother
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Wayne Joseph Bass, Orlando Fl
Born: March 17, 1964 Died: December 6, 2003 39 Years Old
Shana Bass Pope (Waynes Sister)
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory Of
Patricia L Acosta 10/14/67 ~ 07/01/05 37 Years Old
The most wonderful woman in the world mother of four life was taken from us due to a methdone treatment program. She had been receiving treatment for only seven days from The Reno Treatment Center in Reno Nevada when she passed.Four thousand people die a year from the distribution of this product. Please join us in the fight to institute stronger restrictions on methadone before it kills someone you know.
In Loving Memory Of
Patricia L Acosta
10/14/67 to 07/01/05
Joseph M Acosta
_______________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Dylon Wiseman 9/21/89 ~ 10/13/06 17 years old
Our son's name is Mitchell Dylon Wiseman. He was born September 21, 1989 and he passed away on October 13, 2006. I had taken my younger children to the dentist that Friday and when we got home I went to wake Dylon up. I opened his door and thought that he was playing a Friday the 13 joke on me. He always loved to joke with everyone. I saw that he had blood on his mouth and nose and I started screaming. That's what I was told because after that I have alot of gaps in my memory and I wish I had more. I just held him and yelled for Dylon's sister Kodi to call 911. She ran up the stairs and saw Dylon before I could catch her. I will regret that the rest of my life. The paramedics pulled me away and I complied because I knew this was not really happening. I just knew that they could save him but all the paddles and shots could not bring my baby back. I begged God to please take me and bring Dylon back but God would not listen. That one day took Dylon and broke our hearts. Our family will never be the same- we will forever have a missing piece. We never spent another night in that house. A 19 year old that attended Dylon's high school brought the methadone to a bonfire that night. He was just passing it out like candy. He had gotten the methadone from a 40 year old woman who had taken it from her husband who had gotten it from a pain clinic. She wanted this 19 year old to sell it at school so she could have extra money. We figured that Dylon was especially focused on because he had a job with his Dad and Uncle as a mover. Most 17 year olds did not make as much as he did. I guess they were hoping that he would get hooked but instead they killed him. Dylon's file is still sitting on the Franklin County Prosecutor's desk. All I hear is excuses and lies. A detective said to me "unless they shoved the pill down his throat, there is nothing that can be done." They have pushed his death aside like it was his fault more then the drug dealers and so they just don't care. Meanwhile, our family suffers and we hold on to anything that we can that Dylon ever touched. Sometimes when I just can't take anymore I smell his shirt that he wore the last day of his life. I am so scared that eventually his smell will fade with time. My husband and I are so worried about our 6 year old and our 14 year old because they have so much anger and sadness about the lose of their brother. These people that started the chain of events that took my son's life are still living their lives and the woman still has all of her family and no one is one bit sorry for what they did. Dylon was brillant, handsome, funny and he could drive us all crazy but we could never love him more. He was such a big part of our family and we will never be the same.
Heather Wiseman
Dylon Wiseman only 17 years old.
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory Of
Timmy Atkins - December 25, 2006
STORY WILL BE POSTED SOON
www.myspace.com/172583274 ___________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Mark "Teeny" Martinez
August 30, 1983 - April 30, 2005 21 Years Old
WHAT HAPPEN TO MARK: For anyone who has wondered exactly what happen, Here is the story... Mark died of respiratory failure due to aspiration. For a year in a half, I couldn't understand how he could have died with just .11 blood alcohol and a small amount of a perscription drug in him. I have learn however that it isn't how much of this drug he had in him, it is what drug it was. He took a Methadone pill. The amount in him was no more then 1 pill. Because of the methodone, he did not wake up when he aspriated. It took me 2 years to learn how the Methadone in his system really played a role in his death. Methadone is killing kids everyday like Mark. They think they can take one pill and get a buzz. But when they go to sleep they never wake up. The autopsy also found that Mark had strep throat. He had been taking over the counter cough syrup. Cough medicines also do not mix well with Methadone. Of course we had to wait 6 weeks for a toxicology report to find that it wasn't a drug overdose since no one was with him when he quit breathing. The day before Mark died, he called me at work and just said, "Mom, I love you so much, please don't ever kill yourself." Surprised at his statement, I asked him what on earth he was talking about. He was upset and told me that his good friend's mother had committed suicide that morning. When we got off the phone, I just started crying, not for Dustin or his mother. I just asked God, why does my young boy have to always deal with such hard issues? When Mark left that night, he said that he was going to hang out with Dustin because he needed a friend. I told him that I was glad he wanted to be there for Dustin, but warned him that partying wouldn't do him or Dustin any good. He gave me a big hug, told me he loved me and to not worry. That was the last time I saw Mark. The next day, Mark didn't show up for his cousin's wedding. I tried to call his cell phone, because all the family was in town, and he needed to be there, everyone wanted to see him. He never answered his phone. After the wedding, before the reception, I called again. This time, a woman answered the phone. She was a case worker at the hospital, and said that we needed to get down there. At the hospital, it was just like you have seen on ER or other hospital shows. They took us into a private room and we got the speech of "We tried everything we could but he didn't make it."
This was the hardest day of our lives. We never dreamed that we would live longer then our son. We did however find more love and supprt that day then we could ever imagine too. We miss you Mark. We miss our "pride and joy"
www.myspace.com/memory_of_teeny
www.mark-martinez.memory-of.com
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Memory of Ron Kessler 11/06/54 ~ 11/18/06
In memory of Ron Kessler. He was our loving husband, brother, step-father, "Papa". After many years of battling the demon of depression and pain he lost his fight November 18,2006. He thought he had at last found relief in what his doctors had to offer. With trust, he placed his care in the hands of his doctors. He is missed every day by his wife...........sometimes it's unbearable. Our granchildren, 7 of them, cry for him often. They are just too young to understand why he went away. We love and miss you "Papa" 11/06/54-11/18/06
Reno, Neveda "Papa" "Ron"
___________________________________________________________________________________
"We will always remember JP" John Paul Faulk
Someone sold my brother methadone and he went to sleep and never woke up .The person who sold it to him died a month later from methadone and it was prescribed to them . This drug is taking our loved ones we have to get control of it .
I want people to remember my brother .
Remember how much he loved poker.
Remember that he was a Gator fan, Bucs fan , Lighting fan
Remember that he loved is dog cat fish or to him his child .
Remember he do any thing for you ,but he tell you how he felt weather you liked or not .
Remember he was loyal to his friends and family.
Remember That Methadone took a friend , brother,son ,nephew,and wonderful person.
Remember, Remember , I will fight for my brother and others that methadone has taken . I will fight for the ones Methadone temps and ones Methadone has not got to.
Help Me REMEMBER. IT COULD BE YOUR LOVE ONE NEXT! REMEMBER JP.
http://www.rememberjp.wetpaint.com
___________________________________________________________________________________
Chad Alexander Locke
Feb. 11, 1978 - April 6, 2004 26 years old
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of
Matthew Harvey
___________________________________________________________________________________
God Bless you Mike...We miss you!
In loving memory of
MIKE KENNEDY
March 28, 1962- December 4, 2004
Methadone is the # 2 Drug Killer- "One Pill Can Kill"
Our cherished son, brother, father and friend, was taken from us almost 3 years ago. We miss you so much and
thank you for your endless love, support and generosity! We know you are watching over your two precious boys,
Nick and Chad today and forever...
It's still unbearable to understand your leaving us because of a pain prescription, Methadone. This lethal medication
took your cherished life in less than 24 hours. We now know that methadone is different than any other pain medications because it stays in your body for a very long time...up to 59 hours after one dose. Methadone is taking 10.9 lives every
day. We will STOP this epidemic!
We know you're with our loving mother Jackie, Collette, and other angels. We pray you continue to watch over us in
spirit and with His guidance everyday.
We love you! We miss you.......
Nick Kennedy, Chad Kennedy Lasrich, Karen Lasrich, Kathy Bowers, and Dad
Mike Kennedy's Memorial website:
http://mikekennedy.memory-of.com
___________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of
John Robert Marvin, II 24 years old
I have a story to tell. My son's story. A story he can't himself tell. A story of how a young, healthy man, following his dream to become a firefighter was taken from this earth by the hands of a negligent family, and one little pill. We struggle under the oppression of popular opinion, that a death by methadone is a death of the nefarious. It is only at the hands of us, left behind in strangling grief, telling our stories that will stop additional sorrow, and make the TRUTH known. Sites such as this, and HARMD help get the word out, but, it's not enough. Still, methadone continues to take lives, and those with blood on their hands are allowed to carry on, while more and more are left behind trying to live on in dire grief. There is no justice, and little support. Understanding is sparse, until it is you who struggles to seek answers or solace.
Thank God for sites like HARMD, and this one; and the strength these women have, in spite of their own heart breaking grief, that allow lost souls such as myself, a place to go, to find empathy, understanding, friendship and support. Unfortunately, I am not alone in this Club of Sorrows, fortunately there are others who walk in my shoes and offer their hand, and a hand up. Thank God, thank you.
Peace be with you;
Nanci Marvin
In loving remembrance of JOHN ROBERT MARVIN, II
(01-15-80 ~ 12-31-04/01-09-05)
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Jason Huffman 23 years old
Sept. 13, 1983 - April 8, 2007
I just want to tell the story of my son, Jason Huffman. He was an intelligent young man that was known for his smile. He helped in the Hurricane Katrina relief with the Red Cross because thats how caring and loving that he was to anyone that needed help. On Easter morning of this year, April 8th, I received a phone call telling me that Jason would not wake up. This is the day my world fell apart and I can't seem to get it back. Less than 4 days before his death, Jason had started going to a methadone clinic for what he thought, was a new beginning and the first step to recovery. He said that he was tired of letting me down and wanted help. His dosage was boosted up from 30mg. to 45mg. He was dosed on Wed, April 4th for the 1st time and again on Thurs., April 5th and on Friday at the clinic. He was given bring home doses of 3 more vials of liquid methadone. When he was pronounced dead on Sunday morning, he still had 2 vials left. This is worse than any pain that any mother has ever endured, including childbirth. Please, let's stop this KILLER, together. United We Stand for our children that cannot speak out. Thank you for this site.
Jason Huffman killed by Methadone, taken as prescribed.
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Michael Jolly
Born: 5-30-1984 Died: 12-10-2006 22 years old
Michael was a beautiful, sensitive and caring soul. He freely forgave
others, did not hold grudges and he never talked about others in a
negative way. Michael was gifted and so full of potential.
Michael was recovering from five years of drug addiction. The addiction
was the effect of a horrible automobile accident, which killed his
girlfriend Kristen and her best friend Lanisha. Michael was only 17 at the
time. He was a passenger in the vehicle; his life was inexplicably
spared that night because the passenger's side of the car, where he was
sitting, was completely caved in. The scene was a gruesome one.
Michael survived physically, but the mental trauma was too much for
him. He experienced survivor's guilt; he felt responsible for the
accident and was heartbroken.
Somehow he still managed to keep that precious smile on his face no
matter what he was going through.
About six months prior to his death, Michael found love again. He met a
girl who made him happy and whom he had made plans to marry in March
2007; he died December 10, 2006.
Michael was really trying to turn his life around. He began to attend
church, something he had not done in the past.
The day before he died, he made several phone calls trying to get
something for his nerves. Michael had a pending legal matter from the past
that was causing him some anxiety. It was not uncommon for Michael to
take drugs when faced with a problem. It was highly unusual for him to
take Methadone.
I, nor any of his friends, had known of him to take Methadone in the
past.
Michael had no alcohol or other drugs in his system. Except for a small
trace of xanax (a drug used for anxiety and depression), most likely
from a period greater than 24 hours prior to his death. The only drug
really noted was the Methadone. The level found can be assumed to be a
therapeutic dose as well as a lethal dose.
Michael survived the accident and all the years of drug abuse. I never
expected him to die after all we had been through. My life has been
changed; I will never be the person I once was. There are no words in any
language that describe the devastation and emptiness left behind. This
has shattered my life and that of my family.
Michael died on a Sunday morning, on somebody else's sofa, alone. He
was seen at 7:00 a.m. making a gurgling sound. Three hours later he was
seen taking his last breaths. Nobody had a clue he was dying. I wish I
could have been there to hold him and tell him how much he was loved.
Michael's Mom
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of Larry (Bubba) Benis A mothers tribute to her son
November 14, 1985 - October 9, 2005
19 years old
My Son died in his bed due to methadone. To walk into his room that morning is something so unbearable I still can't talk about it. Everyday is a struggle to go on. Methadone is taking so many of our Children now that it is rated number 1 in the death of our loved ones.
My love and prayers go out to all whom must now try to go on. We must stop this Monster.
Love and God Bless
Bonnie Benis....Angel Bubba's Mom
www.Larry-Bubba-Benis.Last-Memories.com
Larry H Benis (Bubba)
Nov.14,1985 - Oct.9,2005
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving memory Of:
Gabriel John Miller 4-22-1981 to 8-14-2006
25 years old
I lost my son, Gabriel, to a Methadone overdose when he was 25 years old... He was a beautiful, tender, and passionate person who loved God and everybody... He was an artistic musician who loved to entertain... He battled drug addiction for several years... He once told me that he didn't start out being rebellious or anything, he just wanted to "party a little"... Well, he soon found out that "partying" can lead to a horrible addiction... It was Oxycontin that hooked him and ruined his life for several years, and Methadone that killed him.... Addiction is horrible and painful TORMENT... He said that he was in pain when he needed drugs, and in pain when he did the drugs... and he was filled with guilt and shame for the way he treated people when he was on drugs, and for the pain that he caused his brother and I (his Mom)... he was a beautiful person, but tried several different kinds of drugs, trying to keep himself out of pain... Sometimes he would purchase oxycontin from a kid who got it from his grandmother... His grandmother, on Medicare, would go to the doctor and say that she had back trouble, the doctor prescribed Oxycontin... the grandmother would get her prescription filled and take it right over to her grandson to sell... He was living in a half-way house, and selling drugs... Finally, my son, got clean for a while, but then relapsed... then a well meaning friend started giving him Methadone... he thought it would help him to come off of the oxycontin... but it didn't... he went to sleep and never woke up... Now, I do believe that my Gabriel is in a better place... but I still miss him with every beat of my heart... http://gabrielmiller.memory-of.com
Katie Helms, Gabriel Miller's Mom
Gabriel John Miller
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of
Zac Peebles
December 5, 1985 - April 6, 2007 21 Years old
Zac was 21 years old when he died in his sleep at a drug rehab center. He finally agreed to get help with his cocaine addiction when it had brought his life to a downward spiral. My mother checked him in to a recommeded family resource center but before he was allowed to be admitted he had to get medical clearance for detox. He was given a perscription for methadone as well as valium by the ER physician who saw him for withdrawl symptoms, two drugs that should not be mixed. We are unclear why he was given methadone but they assumed he had an opiate tolerance. After being at the center for 3 days they dropped him off at the methadone clinic to get more of the drug to help his withdrawls. He was given a dose there and then another oral dose was delivered by the clinic to his rehab center the next day. Nobody had communicated that Zac allready had a perscription for methadone pills and the lethal amounts given to him were ignored and the signs of toxicity were ignored by the staff. I am an RN and am very clear on his signs of overdose charted in the records, but there were no nurses or doctors on staff at this so-called "detox" center, only a CNA who was charting the meds that Zac would take himself and his vitals and other symptoms. After his dose on thursday that was delivered to him, he was checked on in the middle of the night and found sleeping with an elevated Heart rate, 4hrs later he was found dead on friday morning April 6, 2007. Autopsy showed acute intoxication of Methadone and Valium. Zac was a bright young man who had just fallen into addiction and was trying to get help and this drug killed him. He should still be here today and he is missed deeply by his family and friends, nobody could replace Zac. www.myspace/zacpeebles.com
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of James Aversano
Story to be posted soon.
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory of
James Cruz
October 4, 1966 - November 12, 2005 39 years old
On Friday, September 11th, 2005 I took off of work to go to a doctor with James. He was having problems fighting his disease, addiction. One of his friends had told him about a doctor that he went to that could help... This was the biggest mistake of our lives.
We woke up a little bit late. Actually James woke up after me. I was on the computer typing out e-mails and he came out of our room and said that he "would get up in a little bit." I said "fine" and went on typing. I got into the shower and came out and James was up and ready to go and get this all over with... We left the house about an hour later.
First James was hungry, so we went for breakfast. I remember him telling me that he will never eat at this restaurant again. If only I knew how true that was back than. After that we went out to the doctors office. It was their lunch break and James said that he was not leaving until he got to see him... He was that adamant about it.
So we went for a walk through the little strip mall, went to the college to ask some questions about a class that James wanted to take and back to the office. It was still closed, so I told James that I needed to get one of my nails fixed. There was a nail salon next to the office. I went in to get it fixed and when I came out, James was kneeling in front of this little elderly woman and listening to her speak. She was telling him her life story. When he saw me walking up he stood and put his arm around me. He smiled down at me and told me that he met this nice lady and how interesting her story was.
That was my James; always loved the young and old... He had this wonderful heart. A few minutes later the nurse came and opened up the door. We all went in and James continued speaking to this cute little lady. She was talking about the job she had when she first arrived here in Florida. The nurse opened the window by the desk and James excused himself and went up to speak to her. He didn't have an appointment, but was allowed a walk-in one...
They gave him the paperwork to fill out, as this was his first visit to this doctor. He handed it to me, as I was always the paper person. I filled it out an he continued to speak to his new friend. After turning in the paperwork James got up and walked outside to have a cigarette... I remember looking out the window at him and just smiling. I loved James so much and knew that this appointment would change our lives forever. If only I knew how.
The nurse called and James went in. I had to use the bathroom, so I went down the hall and James was sitting in the room waiting. I went in and spoke with him until the doctor came. At this point I excused myself and walked back into the waiting room. It was packed and everyone seemed to have some kind of story about being there for meds... This seemed so surreal to me, as I had heard about places like this, but never actually had been to one.
James came out, smiling ear to ear. The doctor had given him the Methadone to help his cravings and also some Xanax, as he wasn't sleeping very well at night. He took the prescriptions, made an appointment for 2 weeks later and we walked outside. He was in such a state of happiness. I remember him hugging me so tight and telling me that things were gonna be alright.
I was so happy that he was so excited that I just felt this total and insane amount of Love running through my whole body. We went to the pharmacy and got his meds filled. We then came home and I called my best friend and told her what happened at the doctor. She told me to tell James to be careful with the Methadone, she had 4 people in her life that had died from it recently... I told him and he said "was it the liquid kind?" I asked and she said "yes".... I just assumed that it was what it was and that the pills were not deadly.
James took the recommended dose, we turned on the TV and watched it until we fell asleep. I remember him showing me how he had to fix the methadone up and drink it. I also remember him taking the Xanax to fall asleep.
In the morning James was unsteady on his feet. He was kneeling by our bed and put on the lampshade, he was always joking around and trying to make me laugh. But today he looked deep into my eyes and told me that "he wanted to grow old with me..." The love that he drove deep into my eyes, into my soul I can still feel today.
I had a bunch of things to do. We were still coming out of Hurricane Wilma damage and I told him to just lay down, I was going to go and take care of what I needed to and then I would be back home. I left for about 2 hours and came back home. I had a horrible headache and my back was really hurting me. I couldn't stand the pain, so I took one of the pain killers the doctor prescribed me.
I had gone grocery shopping and had just gotten home. I made James and I lunch. His best friend was here and talking to James. I had set James sandwich on the table in the family room and was in the kitchen. I told him that I was very tired and he told me to go lie down and he would be in, in a minute. I did just that.
This is the last time that I remember seeing James alive. I don't remember if he came in to lie down with me or not? I just remember kissing him and telling him that I love him and he told me that he loved me. I woke up and heard some water running in the bathroom. I figured that James was in there, so I fell back to sleep.
I woke up a while later and there was the water running. This time I went to the bathroom door and knocked and told James to open up, no answer. I knocked again, but no answer. I opened the door and there was James lying on the floor.
I remember running to the phone and dialing 911. I remember holding his hand and telling him to hold on, the paramedics are on their way. I remember lifting up his head in my hands and telling him, "I love you, please don't leave me..." I remember praying to God to let him be okay.
Next I remember the police asking me if there is anyone that they can call for me? I told them "no", I just want you to help James. I remember the police telling me that "he didn't make it," what does this mean? He didn't make it??? I remember crawling on my knees and the tears pouring out , please God fix this make him wake up. It happens in the movies all the time... Unfortunately, this wasn't the movies and James was not going to wake up.
I miss James so very much and I cry for him, every day. I don't know why this had to happen to him, but I have learned the Methadone should NEVER be mixed with Xanax due to the recent number of deaths.
This story is for James the love of my life, whom I will never forget, whom I will always cherish, whom will always be in my heart.
- All my love James, Always and Forever - Trish
james-cruz.last-memories.com
www.myspace.com/jcruzgirl
floridatah@yahoo.com
____________________________________________________________________________________
In Loving Memory Of
Billy Michael WIlson July 9, 1983 - February 8, 2007
BILLY MICHAEL WILSON PASSES AWAY ON FEB.8,2007. HE WAS 23 YEARS OLD, AND LIVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA ALL HIS LIFE. HE DIED FROM AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE OF METHADONE AND OXYCONTIN. HE LEFT BEHIND A 6 YAER OLD SON TAYLOR MICHAEL WILSON, AND HIS MOTHER, 1 BROTHER, 2 SISTERS. HE WILL BE ETERNALLY MISSED FOREVER….ESPECIALLY THAT BEAUTIFUL SMILE THAT HE HAD. REST IN PEACE BABYBOY WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our Beautiful Wendy Family visit on Wendy's Birthday January 26, 2008
In Loving Memory of Wendy McAdams
1/26/73 ~ 4/5/06
ON APRIL 4 , 2006 WE LOST OUR DAUGHTER WENDY TO METHADONE . THE PRESCRIPTION WAS WRITTEN AND GIVEN TO HER AT A FAMILY PRACTICE DOCTOR'S CLINIC BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR WHO SAW HER FOR THE FIRST TIME. WITHOUT TEST OR REVIEW OF HER PAST RECORDS .HE GAVE WENDY A PRESCRIPTION FOR , TWO-HUNDRED & FORTY 10 MG. TABLETS. THE PRESCRIPTION WAS FILLED AT ABOUT 5:30 P.M. IN LESS THAN 8 HOURS WENDY HAD DIED !!! WITH ONE CARELESS ACT A DOCTOR WITHOUT REGARD FOR THE CONSEQUENCES DESTROYED WENDY'S LIFE AND CHANGED OUR WORLD. FOREVER.... I ASK MYSELF DID HE WARN HER HOW LETHAL OR TOXIC THIS DRUG IS ??? FOUR MONTHS AFTER HER DEATH WE RECIEVED A CALL BY ONE OF THE DETECTIVES TELLING MY HUSBAND & I THAT WE COULD COME TO HIS OFFICE & GO OVER THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION REPORTS & WE DID .. THE FOLLOWING DAY I SET DOWN WITH THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT & WENT PAGE BY PAGE WHILE READING HER TOXICOLOGY & AUTOPSY I WAS ABLE TO READ WHAT SHE HAD IN HER SYSTEM. A TRACE .15 OF ANTIHISTIMINE, (WENDY HAD ASTHMA,) TRACE .O3 OF A HYDOCODONE (PAIN TABLET,) THEN METHADONE LEVEL WAS .49 !!! ON HER DEATH CERTIFICATE UNDER CAUSE OF DEATH...MIXED DRUG INTOXICATION, UNDER MANNER OF DEATH...BLANK, NOTHING, NOT ONE WORD !!! I COULD BARELY READ THROUGH ONE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS WRITING, IT WAS CLEAR HE WAS REQUESTING SOME OF WENDY'S MEDICAL RECORDS .THERE WAS THE PATIENT SHEET COPY WITH ALL THE PRESCRIPTIONS HE'D WRITTEN & I NOTICED SOMEONE HAD TAKEN A PEN OR PENCIL & SCRIBBLED THROUGH THE XANAX HE PRESCRIBED, NEXT I WAS SHOCKED, I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES, THE DR. NEVER LISTED THE METHADONE PRESCRIPTION HE'D WRITTEN & THAT WENDY HAD FILLED AS SOON AS SHE LEFT HIS OFFICE !!! I CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK, TOLD HIM WHAT I'D FOUND & HE CALLED THE DETECTIVE WE'D JUST SEEN THE DAY BEFORE. THE DETECTIVE THOUGHT WE WERE WRONG & HE WENT & PULLED HIS COPY OF THE INVESTIGATION, TO HIS SURPRISE WE WERE RIGHT !!! AT THIS POINT IT IS NOT THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DETECTIVE TO QUESTION THE DOCTOR , WE WERE TOLD BY OUR ASSIGNED DETECTIVE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Loving Memory of Cameron J. Nieves April 20, 1989 - November 3, 2007
On November 3, 2007 10:22am my son Cameron Joseph Nieves was pronounced dead on an accidental overdose of methadone. He has/had no idea what he did to me the day they called me to let me know. My heart, my life, my world will never be the same. He left his 2 sisters and 2 brothers behind to wonder what if. I have written to the governor, senator, legistature and the house of representatives to help. We need to help children against themselves. They are not even 21 and yet they can go buy cigerattes, alcohol, drugs you name it, it can be bought, and not even bought it can be given to our children by unresponsible, stupid, illiterate adults and their own peers. Go figure, we try to protect them and someone else comes behind us and defies us.
Cameron,
I have so many questions! Did you suffer? Like I am. Did you know you were dying? Like I feel I am. Did you call for me or think of me? Like I am calling and thinking of you. Did you go in your sleep?
Cameron,
Do you know what you have done to me? I was a strong woman, wife and mother and you have taken it all away. I know you had no idea how much I loved you and that I would have given my life for you to be here today. I ask God to give me the strength to help me because I know I have to take care of your brothers and sisters. Oh Cameron how they also love and miss you so much. Your crazy ways, that model face you would pose for me, i will never forget it. How you use to poke me with your finger, remember how mad I would get because it was annoying. I know you really didn't want to leave us, I know it was an accident, I know God said that was enough of your foolishness and so he took you, my baby, his angel to show you that he really exist. I know you are with mema, tio douglas and jennifer. I know one day we will be together again, just make sure you save enough space for me next to your new family. God says we are going to be happy when we go to him so you must be very excited, maybe one day I can feel that same excitement, because right now my life feels like it is being drugged through the ditches of this earth. God please give me the strength. Cameron I tried to help you and you wouldn't let me, you preferred your friends and now look none of us have you, why couldn't you just listen a little, maybe you would still be here. Even though I have always said God brung you into this earth and he knows the date and time when we will depart, we are just never prepared. I know you said you didn't believe in God, maybe that's why he took you so you can see for yourself that the almighty is for real and true. Now you will be serving and all the other angels in your new home in heaven. Cameron, I miss your smile, your eyes, your curls, your everything, I miss you so much. I know you are my new guardian angel watching over me. I know you wouldn't want me to blame your so called friends but I do and you can't stop me from blaming them since you are not here to stop me feeling the way I feel. Though they did not put a gun to your head to take any drugs, as your friends, if they had so much influence on you then they could have stopped you from doing the stupid things you did. Well got to go I will talk more with you later.
Love your mommy
To Cameron From Natasha Your Sister Always
Dedicated to Cameron:
I shed a tear everyday that you're gone
And I know it's always gonna feel wrong
Like a piece of me is missing
God knows you were a blessing
That's why he took you with him
He knew no one would care for you better than him
And even though you were a menace, you were always fun to be around
Thought you were just going through a phase
Like all teenagers do, I'd let you be and you'd come back one day
We get lost in our lives, trying to live and make it right
But I never thought for a minute you'd be out my sight
Always thought I'd see your kids one day
Lord knows kids always loved you, you know what they say
They see what we can't, they saw the heart in you all day
You hardly ever hesitated when I asked you a favor
Something I always wished I could've done being your sister
Sorry for the hits, I just didn't want you to be nothing
Those stupid kids from the street didn't know you for shit
They knew you on drugs and that's about it
You probably liked them better because they didn't
beat your ass everyday while you were growing up
Who would've thought they'd be the ones to really help
the world knock you down
They didn't walk you to school in the freezing cold mornings
and zipper you up before you went in
I guess you forget all that shit when the drugs take you in
I love you my brother and hope to see you in heaven
Love Natasha
P.S. I will never forget you...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dan Just too cute! Dan's Obituary Notice Never Forgotten
In Loving Memory of
DANIEL VINCENT STAIB
May 15, 1983 to June 20, 2006
DANIEL VINCENT STAIB of Joppatowne died Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at his home. He was 23.
Born in Baltimore on May 15, 1983, he was the second son of Donald Faber Staib, Jr. and Linda Ann Baker Staib. He was the middle brother of Donald Francis ("Duffy") Staib and David John Staib.
Daniel graduated with honors from Joppatowne High School as a member of the Class of 2001. He hoped to pursue a career in graphic design. In the meantime, he worked in landscaping, home building and construction. As a teen, he volunteered as a camp counselor at the Joppatowne Swim Club.
Dan was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Joppatowne where he received all of his sacraments and participated in the youth ministry activities. He also had been involved in community service.
He enjoyed sports, playing soccer, basketball, football and swimming. He was a Ravens, Orioles and NASCAR fan. He liked movies, games, music and attending concerts.
In addition to his parents, Daniel is survived by his older brother, Donald Francis Staib ("Duffy") and his brother's wife Lisa Marie Adams Staib, both formerly of Joppatowne, but now in Rising Sun, his younger brother, David John Staib of Joppatowne, his nieces Cierra Brooke Staib, Alyssa Brienna Staib, and Delaney Gabrielle Staib all in Rising Sun. He is also survived by his Godparents, Parker and Linda Staib in Elkton, aunts, uncles and cousins in Maryland, Delaware, California and Florida.
Daniel enjoyed art work and was a unique sketch artist and creative writer.
His strength, his inner goodness, his caring, his strong will, his creative abilities, his sense of pride, his special sense of humor and especially, his wonderful free spirit, will always be missed by his family and friends. May Daniel be at peace now as he remains always loved and forever in their hearts.
A viewing will be today (Friday) from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the McComas Funeral Home in Abingdon. There will also be a viewing at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Services will follow there at 10 a.m. with Rev. Joseph Simmons officiating. The interment will then be in the Gardens of Faith Cemetery , along side of Daniel Vincent Staib's maternal grandparents, Francis Vincent Baker and Gertrude Marie Bittle Baker. The pallbearers will be his brothers and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 4700 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore Maryland 21215.
Memorial tributes may be sent to the family at http:///mccomasfuneralhome.com.
Daniel's memorial video may also be viewed there.
Also go to www.DanielStaib.com to view an upcoming memorial web site being prepared by Daniel's older brother, "Duffy".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Loving Memory of
K J Strozier - October 14, 1988 / October 26, 2007 19 years old
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Loving Memory 0f
Scott McGinnnis July 29, 1971 - December 1, 2002 31 years old
Visit a tribute site for Scott at: www.geocities.com/scottmcginnis31/index.html
Story will be posted soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kole with his great-Grandmother shortly Kole's 18th Birthday with brother Klay
before his death.
In Loving Memory of David Kole Brewer
October 19, 1987 - December 21, 2006
Kole on his 18th Birthday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Loving Memory of Mary Jo Vanicky Death caused by OxyContin and the Doctor who prescribed it.