THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Patricia Drews, organizer of an upcoming drug overdose awareness event, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Drews lost her 24-year-old daughter Heaven Leigh Nelson to a “drug-induced homicide” on January 28, 2019. Nelson had taken heroin that was laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

“They call it an overdose, but I choose not to use the term ‘accident’ or ‘overdose,’” said Drews. “When an otherwise survivable drug is laced with an un-survivable amount of fentanyl, that is murder or ‘drug-induced homicide.’”

Drews said her daughter grew up mainly in Alberta, Canada, graduating from the School of the Arts there before moving back to the Granville County area.

While talented and full-of-life, Drews said her daughter suffered from anxiety and depression and, like many young people with mental health issues, turned to drugs as a coping mechanism.

Noting that those who are bipolar and/or suffer from anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are statistically more likely to use illegal drugs, Drews said ending the stigma around mental health and increasing support services is another part of the equation.

“It’s overwhelming when you see how many young people we are losing at an alarming rate in this country alone,” Drews said. “We lose 192 a day – the equivalent of a full plane crashing every day in this country. Where is the outrage? Where is the change?”

In the roughly year and a half since her daughter’s death, Drews said she has become an advocate for young people suffering from mental health disorders and addiction, as well as a proponent for stricter laws and accountability measures for drug dealers.

“It’s terrible when you lose your child,” said Drews. “I try to tell other mothers that we can lay down and die with our children or we can stand up and fight for justice and change. I will not shut up. I will not give up. I will not go away. That was my only child. We have to hold these drug dealers accountable for their actions.”

In observance of International Overdose Awareness Day celebrated each August 31, Drews, family members who have lost loved ones and various community groups will hold an overdose awareness event on Sunday, August 30, 2020, from 5 until 7:30 p.m. at the Vance County Courthouse in Henderson.

Drews has made a banner for the event consisting of 42 overdose victims from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. A national group called “Can You See Me Now” will also be present with multiple banners consisting of 150 names and faces each.

The event will include a balloon release, candlelight vigil, a remembrance walk, prayer and plenty of support for those in attendance.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.