News
A Mother’s Story About the Dangers Of Drug Abuse
< < Back to one-mothers-story-about-dangers-drug-abuseIn 2012, 1,914 Ohioans died of unintentional drug overdoses. Data shows that Athens County fell into the 18.6-30.4 category per 100,000 for unintentional drug overdoses during 2007-2012.
In January, Gov. John Kasich and First Lady Karen Kasich launched a statewide youth drug abuse prevention program called “Start Talking.” The initiative aims to provide parents with the tools they need to talk to their children about drug abuse. Research shows that youth are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs when parents talk with them about substance use and abuse.
At the heart of this issue are the families who have lost loved ones due to drug abuse.
Danielle Smoot lost her son Cole 3.5 years ago after he took one pill, one time.
“There is no pain greater than a parent without their child,” she said. “There is no pain greater than knowing I will never see my son.”
Cole Smoot was a normal 16 year old. He was funny, energetic, and smart. He was known to be a good student. He also played the piano and was on the wresting team.
However, one night he made a fatal mistake. His mother, Danielle, recalled that tragic day.
“He came down into the kitchen and I knew instantly he was under the influence of a narcotic,” Danielle Smoot said. “We were nervous and time was going on and we were growing concerned so we called our emergency room again two more times and I think at this point they were a little bit frustrated with our diligence so they told us we could take him into the emergency room. We got there about 10:30. When we checked in, Cole admitted he had taken a methadone.”
After spending hours in the emergency room, Cole was released after the doctor told his parents he was “out of the danger zone.”
“He said mom, I’m so sorry that I did this to you,” Danielle said. “I said baby you didn’t do this to me, you did this to yourself. He said I know, but I’m so sorry. And I looked at my son and I lied to him, because I told him it was going to be OK.”
Cole passed that day. Autopsy results showed that Cole had only taken one pill.
He was not the only student who took the pills. About 20 other students were known to have tried them as well and they were openly seen during a second period class.
“While no one is accountable for Cole’s decision except for him, if anyone of them told a trusted adult on Thursday, he wouldn’t have received them on Friday. So his death could have and should have been prevented,” his mother said.
For parents like Danielle Smoot, the Start Talking program is a sign of hope for the future.
“In order to break the stigma of addiction, we have to look at this from a holistic approach,” Danielle Smoot said. “When we support the family, we support the school, and we support the community and we come together, that’s where real change is going to happen and I think [the Start Talking initiative] all-together approaches that.”
Since its launch, “Start Talking” has spread with many schools participating in the program. Kroger also started a partnership with the initiative.
Tracy Plouck is the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services. She said prevention is key when it comes to this issue.
“We’re introducing some additional dollars for prevention programming, particularly in the younger grades within school,” Plouck said. “A lot of communities have come forward and said that they want to do more self confidence building and more prevention programming earlier because that will supply young people with the confidence to say no when they’re presented with that choice and that’s ultimately what’s going to stem the tide in the overdose statistics in Ohio.”
For more information please visit starttalking.ohio.gov.