Newtown, PA - These 22 young Pennsylvania residents recently lost their lives to addiction. And their loved ones aren't afraid to say it.
If you've looked through the obituary pages recently, you've likely noticed a troubling trend: there are many young faces.
Of course, not all of these deaths are caused by the same thing. And not all of these deaths are explained on the pages of an obituary. But many are caused by addiction. And, more and more, the families who have paid the price for that addiction with their loved one's life are not trying to hide it.
In recent months, as the opioid epidemic clenches its tight grip on Pennsylvania, it is not uncommon for families who have lost their loved ones to drug addiction to use an obituary as a public plea for others to get help.
"We want to break the silence of addiction, and we are praying that anyone reading this obituary who is or knows someone struggling with addiction will reach out for help before it is too late," said the family of Natalie Kaufer Ference, who died in August from an overdose. She was just 28.
The obituaries also share memories and traits of these young people from happier times, before they became consumed in a fight that would ultimately lead to their death. These are young people who had friends, enjoyed sports, did well in school, had jobs.
Further Reading:
- “Turning Grief Into Action”; http://bit.ly/2yHowwi
- “In Observance of International Overdose Day”; http://bit.ly/2yIHOBo
Respect!