NELSON COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) – Drug overdoses have dropped lately, however not gone away.
A 29 Information investigation uncovered the truth of overdoses within the Charlottesville-Albemarle space.
These should not simply numbers and statistics. They’re actual folks and households who bear the burden of this harrowing disaster. It’s one thing the Harvey household is aware of all too nicely, as they mourn the lack of their son Tony, who died in September from a fentanyl overdose.
Tony’s dad and mom, Pam and Tom, stated for probably the most half, Tony had an idyllic childhood. He liked the mountains of their Nelson County residence, taking part in soccer together with his dad, snowboarding, know-how, and his household.
“[There are] so many recollections that tie into him,” Tom stated.
“And all of them good,” Pam added. “He was such an ideal child.”
Tom and Pam stated above all, Tony was type.
“He was simply enjoyable to be with,” Tom stated. “He was simply candy, type.”
However then, medication entered the image when Tony went to varsity. Meth dependancy shook the course of the Harveys’ lives and took away their solely son.
“Medicine positively stifled his skill to do issues,” Pam stated.
“As a result of what the medication do is that they take away these motivations,” Tom added.
At first, Tom and Pam stated they watched their as soon as vibrant son lose his drive, then, his life.
“He at all times stated ‘it received’t occur to me,’” Tom stated.
“He thought he was in management,” Pam added.
In September, each mum or dad’s worst nightmare turned Pam and Tom’s dwelling actuality.
“It was the worst name I’ve ever had,” Tom stated.
Tom was overseas when he acquired the information his son had died of a fentanyl overdose. Tony was 38 years previous.
Tom stated he leapt into motion, assembly with police, buddies of his son, and anybody who may give him solutions about how this might occur.
He says he “realized quite a bit about a problem I actually didn’t wish to know quite a bit about, and it’s a lot worse than anybody realizes.”
Each Tom and Pam agree, in the case of dropping a liked one to dependancy, there isn’t any coping. Day by day is as troublesome because the second they came upon.
“Generally it’s not straightforward,” Pam stated.
They’ve felt the affect of dependancy firsthand; they hope their son’s story can save a life. Nonetheless, they imagine, the problem is usually ignored, pushed to the peripheral of this group.
“It’s not simply in D.C., It’s not simply in L.A.,” Tom stated. “It’s proper right here in Nelson County, proper right here in Albemarle County, it’s in Charlottesville, and it’s worse than anybody can admit.”
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