CONWAY, SC (WBTW)- Today is International Overdose Awareness day, and a group who’s lost loved ones to opioid addiction rallied together at the Horry County Government Building.
Families laid down pairs of shoes representing their loved one who lost their life to opioids. They are raising awareness to bring more resources to Horry County so another family doesn’t become a statistic
The number of opioid deaths in Horry County has dropped slightly. More than 100 people died in 2016, and in 2017 that number dropped to 77, but Dennis Beck said one is too many. He organized the event Fed Up. Two of his sons died from opioid overdose.
“We have no detoxes, rehabs, we need money, we need funds, we need more people that care,” said Dennis Beck.
His wife Noreen is just one of 47,000 mothers who have lost a child to opioid overdose since January. Their son Jimmy died that same month.
“To find your child in the position I found him that morning. I will never forget that my son was purple and he died of fentanyl poisoning,” said Noreen Beck.
Noreen is a recovering addict herself, and she found her son dead on her 17th anniversary of sobriety.
“I will never be the same person physically, emotionally, ever again,” said Beck.
What helps her cope is trying to help other families and trying to remember happy moments
“Of him riding his motorcycle, when he was happy, im not going to remember the sickness anymore,” said Beck.
She said she hopes today will help change the stigma of drug addicts.
“It makes every person abusing drugs embarrassed to get help. They’re sick people, they aren’t bad people. Given love and opportunity they can recover from this disease,” said Beck.
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction click below for some resources.
