i am trying to get the attention of everyone that something needs to be done about these prescription drug overdoses.  Especially Methadone.  This drug should not be used as it is so deadly.  everyday someone is dying from this medication.

Hi Rich, yes life does take us on amazing journey's. I actually graduated with Peter but have met you & Jean at a few of Billy & Noreen's parties. Again my heart goes out to your family. To lose a child is beyond comprehension & I keep you in my prayers. I have the book you recommended on order & am interested in starting it. I do agree with what you have said in your response. And yes you will see your boy again. God bless you. And thank you for your thoughts. 

Dear Richard & Jean - Our stories just prove that this plague affects all demographics. Your story is almost exactly like one I know from a family whose mother works in our company. I feel so much guilt, thinking I could have or should have done something more or something else. I know it was his choice on that fateful day, but I guided him through life until that point. Clearly I failed somewhere. I know my son is with me, I long to meet him in heaven and feel his loving embrace, yet I still can't stop wishing for him to be back with us now. One of the saddest things is that this might define my son's life, when so much good and wonderful things preceeded it. He went on missions trips, was a great friend, loved animals, was thoughtful and kind, sensitive (probably too much so) and loving. Yet this is how he will be remembered by so many people. At this time last year I thanked God every day because my world was perfect. Who knew? I talk to him, yell at him, cry to him. My husband, however, is dealing with it so very differently. I think you both are probably more on the same page. But that doesn't mean my husband's grief is any less than mine. Have a peaceful Thanksgiving and please stay in touch.
JoAnn

Hi Richard - my son Tyler, age 24, my only child died in the bathroom in work (where we both work). I am the one who found him. His death was caused by huffing computer duster. He had been a social drinker all through college, then came home in January 2009. The job market was tough and he was having problems with his girlfriend, so he began drinking more heavily (during the day while we were out, etc.) He got a job in my company beginning in August, but it was not a career position. I tried to tell him that it was just for the time being - he was getting paid well and had benefits. His girlfriend gave him an ultimatum - stop drinking or she was through with him. So he stopped on January 1st. But I have since learned that addiction is a sneaky thing. He obviously needed to get high. First I noticed that my oxycodiene (given for surgery the prior month) was missing 10 pills. I confronted him and threw out the balance of the pills. But he had seen an episode of A&E's Intervention on a girl addicted to huffing gas duster. It was readily available, cheap and he started using it on January 7th. He died on January 26th, on a bathroom floor. I am so sad that his entire life will be defined by this act. He, too, was a gifted student, athlete, wonderful friend, incredible son, caring, sensitive and special. I was closer to him than to anyone in my life, including my husband. I will forever live with guilt - could I have done anything, said anything, found him sooner - pain, loss, sadness. It is so sad to realize that there are many others out there who are experiencing the very same things. Even if we never meet, we have a bond that others will never understand. Keep in touch.
JoAnn

richard and jean, thank you for your response. i always appreciate it when folks take the time to read what is here. i am approaching dustys 1 year anniv date with much anxiety and overwhelming grief ; i keep saying to myself now, well, he would have had such and such time left. maybe you already read my post where i said this. sorry if i repeat myself. my memory is really bad right now. also, my prayers are with your family also as you move along in the undescrible painful journey. blessings, val

Thank you so much for your response. I am also so very sorry about your son as well. I will read the books that you have listed. Please keep in touch
Sherry

yes, you are right they are way too available to these young kids. my son hurt his shoulder in an accident 2 yrs ago, and was taking vicodan, the doctor kept prescribing until he was hooked.. massive quantities of pain meds also morphine.. we did not know the extent of his addiction he kept it hidden, and became a pro at it...then came the methodone which i knew nothing about this horrible drug...these pain clinics are all over the country, and it is big money, they do not care about human life only the almighty dollar...we have been told we probably do not have a case, and to be honest we don't care about money, it is maybe saving a life...my son was a healthy 6'5" strong young man of 24 yrs, so why would a doctor keep giving him drugs when the pain was not that great anymore?????i have alot of guilt about thinking i could have done more like rehab, but as i said i really did not know how much he took i thought he took a pill once in a while when his shoulder hurt... we as parents seem to be the last to know when our children are in this kind of pain, not just physically, but mentally...i have been talking to our woman who's son also died from drugs, and she is quite the advocate, you might want to contact her..her name is Tammy Dennard, just type in her name, and go to her website, then you can decide if you want to proceed with contacting her...again, i am sorry for your loss, and hope we can continue to talk about this because it is an epidemic that nobody seems to want to talk about....take care, and bless you both.. Tammy E

your grief is so new. i am at 5 months and just wonder if i will come out whole. i am incredibly sad all the time. LIFE SUCKS

i am very sorry to hear about your sons overdose.
its devastating and a waste of life. i know the pain, daily over and over. i love him so very much

Richie was 25 years old. He was a great hockey player, good student, and loving son. He got hooked on heroin 18 months ago. We sent him to 9 rehabs and in the beginning they worked for a little while but toward the end he left them to protect his habit. He started taking methadone about four months ago but he also used. Richie died in our house from an overdose. We were with him when he passed.
We believe that God decided he struggled too much. However, we miss him dearly. We are finding strength through our friends and scriptures, but I think we are still in shock over the sudden loss of our beautiful boy. Thanks for your concern.

Hello richard and family i am so sorry to here of ur son Richie leaving so suddenly-mijo left me suddenly @ age 21- try not to think of how he left but of how much you loved him and still do-remember the great love u have for him and what a wonderful sensitive person that u remember him to be- i think mijo is still alive in spirit and he sends me messages thru prayer all the time to let me know he is still with me. there is a web site called grief recovery after substance passing that u might find helpful-grasp-On the first anniversary of mijo's leaving i established a new holiday- family Fun or Forgivness Day- whichever come First-FF/fd-5-3-09- Please visit My Page and view all comments-I will pray for you and ur family- Marina

Hello Richard, I am so sorry for the loss of your Son. Please feel free to share anything you want to with us, We are all here for you and your wife. How old was Richie?
I lost my 18 year old Son Joey in June of this year in a motorcycle accident, he is missed so much.

Hi Richard I am sorry for the lost of your son,alcohol took the life of my oldest son,we was 35 he was only a beer drinker at that. We also tried to get him help and he would due okay then have a relapse it was very hard to tell him that he was slowly killing himself,he wouldn't listen until it was too late we,I keep telling myself why was I not more demanding but he just wouldn't listen.I miss him dearly and love him so much that everyday that goes by is so hard,so I understand what you are feeling as well as the rest of those that have lost a child. God Bless you and your family.