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Today's Poll!Father shares story of son’s death from heroin to effect change
Cody Marshall poses for a senior photo. Cody graduated from high school in 2010, and died in September at age 20 of a suspected heroin overdose.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Over the past couple of years, the amount of heroin use in the Jefferson City area has been on the rise, unfortunately with deadly consequences.
In September, Jim Marshall lost his son, Cody, 20, from an apparent overdose of heroin.
“In my own mind, as I found out how big a problem this is in central Missouri, my next question was, ‘Why don’t we know this?’” he said. “I understand it’s hard, and some people may think it would be embarrassing or it would bring a black eye to a family.
“But if we don’t share the awareness we’ve gained, we’ll not get to the point where things get better. It stays the same.”
In a letter Marshall wrote to the News Tribune, he said in his research since his son’s death, he has found 40 people have died in Cole and Boone counties from drug overdoses.
He said he’d found some similarities between Cody’s death and many of the others.
Participate in the News Tribune Facebook Question:
The amount of heroin distribution and use in the Jefferson City area has increased, local authorities say. By January, local authorities are hopeful they will be able to more accurately show the public the depth of the problem. How should public officials, parents and teens respond to this problem?
Click here to post your answer and read others on our Facebook page.
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Comments
hope4good 1 year, 5 months ago
Thank you, Jim. Cody's death and the deaths of others due to drug use must be addressed by our community as a whole. Your courage in speaking out is something more of us should do - from our kids who know who drug dealers are, to parents who notice a change in their child, to law enforcement, medical, and educational professionals who can help identify the users and expose the suppliers, to the pawn shop owners who purchase (likely) stolen valuables in exchange for cash to buy drugs, and others with knowledge - all must speak up. This silent killer must be exposed. There can be no shame or secrecy. Addiction is a disease and those who are sick deserve treatment. May God bless your family with comfort and peace. Your sadness and loss of a loved one through addiction could happen to any of us at any time.
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