VIDEO – WHEN DOES IT END? EVER? –

Jan. 30, 2023 – When you lose a child, finding ways to ensure they are remembered and that the same tragedy doesn’t befall other parents becomes a priority.

I lost my son, Tyler, to an accidental overdose in 2020. Since then, I’ve met parents grieving the loss of their children who battled substance use. It’s a struggle no parent should endure, and it’s made even more difficult by those in power who, in our children’s name, push policies rooted in punishment over solutions rooted in compassion and public health. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), law enforcement across the United States and our lawmakers need to consider how their actions and policies affect grieving parents. Misdirected anger and encouragement by law enforcement and politicians lead some parents to pursue retribution, like pushing for charges against their deceased child’s friends who were present at the time of their death.

Click@USAToday