Issue Of Deadly Overdoses Raised At Event In Orange County
SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA.com) — The issue of deadly overdoses was the theme of an event held Saturday night in Orange County.
The event was designed to raise awareness of the growing epidemic.
KCAL9's Brittney Hopper attended the meeting and said for everyone in attendance there was special significance.
Every person in the room has lost a loved one to an overdose, she reported.
There were nearly 200 people in attendance.
Verlene Crawford lost her only son to an accidental overdose seven years ago when he was 34 years old.
"You just miss them. You miss them and you feel an emptiness that you'll never [get over], it never goes away," says Crawford.
Tonight's event was held in San Clemente and provided a support group for the close to 200 people from the Orange County area who have been affected bY losing someone to an overdose -- accidental or suicide.
Yvonne Grey's son had a football injury when he was 15 and became addicted to pills. He later died at 28 of an accidental overdose.
"We were giving it to him as directed and I didn't even know but it developed into an addiction," Grey said.
Accidental deaths are becoming more and more familiar.
Earlier this month, two young women collapsed and died at a music festival in Pomona.
The deaths have helped prompt more discussion about overdoses.
"I think that all parents should get involved in their children's lives," crawford said.
Hopper reported that August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day.
