There's a HEROin Epidemic and it's NOT JUST other NeighborHOODS!
This is an unedited version of a blog I wrote in September 2011 after "Rally Round Recovery in Joliet, Illinois. It came full circle this last week. Government can work. People don' speak out enough when it does. It did with the passing of SB 1701!!
"Rally Round Recovery 2011" was a huge success. There was a lot of hope, strength and love in the air that afternoon. I was humbled and honored when asked to be Spokesman and emcee of such a special event. I was thrilled to speak with Senators, Congressmen, Commissioners, Judges and public servants who genuinely care about the addiction epidemic gripping our county, city, state and nation.
I will never forget meeting the Dr. John Roberts' Family who lost their son BILLY to a heroin overdose while friends unknowingly left for a baseball game. Billy was not an addict or junkie lost on the street. He TRIED heroin. Does he look like your child? Does he look like the boy next door?
"Rally Round Recovery 2011" was a huge success. There was a lot of hope, strength and love in the air that afternoon. I was humbled and honored when asked to be Spokesman and emcee of such a special event. I was thrilled to speak with Senators, Congressmen, Commissioners, Judges and public servants who genuinely care about the addiction epidemic gripping our county, city, state and nation.
I will never forget meeting the Dr. John Roberts' Family who lost their son BILLY to a heroin overdose while friends unknowingly left for a baseball game. Billy was not an addict or junkie lost on the street. He TRIED heroin. Does he look like your child? Does he look like the boy next door?
Dr. Roberts' family is fighting for legislation (SB 1701) that grants temporary immunity for those who try to help save the life of someone overdosing on drugs or alcohol. There are those who shout, "they are breaking the law!" I say, "yes they are, but they do not deserve to die over an addiction or poor choice."
It's a family affair. His beautiful wife and daughter Amanda worked the rally making certain that every person within earshot got information about heroins leaching onto suburbia. Dr. Roberts visits schools and civic organizations to inform parents and school officials on the rampant use of heroin by suburban CHILDREN today. He is a tireless advocate. He has turned his pain over the loss of his son into a mission of hope and change to let other parents know, YES IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU.
Their organization "Be a HERO save a life", (Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization) is fighting to change legislation. Check out BEAHEROFOUNDATION.ORG. Donate to this worthy cause. Drugs are illegal, but if it was your kid wouldn't you want the kids with him or her to call the police instead of watching them die or dumping them in a field to die alone? That is what happens now in Illinois because the caller and the kids with an overdosing person are arrested or are afraid of being arrested.
The plague of Heroin, Bath Salts, Prescription drugs and designer pills is running rampant. America has a pill for everything and our kids see that. They need only go to our medicine cabinets or Grandma's for a couple of pills to trade at school for whatever they need. Wake up! Educate yourself.
You can have a great kid. He or she can get good grades. They may say all the right things. They may go to church. They may walk out the door and do drugs and never come back again. It only takes one try. This is the new reality. If you think it can't happen to you. Call the Roberts family. Billy was an amazing human being. He is saving lives today.
I am pleased to say that both chambers of the Illinois Legislature signed SB1701 the first week of January, 2012.
Governor Pat Quinn Signed it into Law last Monday....Way To go Dr. Roberts and family! You guys are all HEROES! Billy is smiling....
Kudos to the Illinois State Legislature and all those involved with getting this life saving law enacted. You too are heroes....
It's a family affair. His beautiful wife and daughter Amanda worked the rally making certain that every person within earshot got information about heroins leaching onto suburbia. Dr. Roberts visits schools and civic organizations to inform parents and school officials on the rampant use of heroin by suburban CHILDREN today. He is a tireless advocate. He has turned his pain over the loss of his son into a mission of hope and change to let other parents know, YES IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU.
Their organization "Be a HERO save a life", (Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization) is fighting to change legislation. Check out BEAHEROFOUNDATION.ORG. Donate to this worthy cause. Drugs are illegal, but if it was your kid wouldn't you want the kids with him or her to call the police instead of watching them die or dumping them in a field to die alone? That is what happens now in Illinois because the caller and the kids with an overdosing person are arrested or are afraid of being arrested.
The plague of Heroin, Bath Salts, Prescription drugs and designer pills is running rampant. America has a pill for everything and our kids see that. They need only go to our medicine cabinets or Grandma's for a couple of pills to trade at school for whatever they need. Wake up! Educate yourself.
You can have a great kid. He or she can get good grades. They may say all the right things. They may go to church. They may walk out the door and do drugs and never come back again. It only takes one try. This is the new reality. If you think it can't happen to you. Call the Roberts family. Billy was an amazing human being. He is saving lives today.
I am pleased to say that both chambers of the Illinois Legislature signed SB1701 the first week of January, 2012.
Governor Pat Quinn Signed it into Law last Monday....Way To go Dr. Roberts and family! You guys are all HEROES! Billy is smiling....
Kudos to the Illinois State Legislature and all those involved with getting this life saving law enacted. You too are heroes....
I am truly touched by your article and I thank you for writing it. I am John Roberts' oldest daughter, Bonnie. I am so proud of my dad for fighting the war on heroin. Losing my brother, Billy has forever changed my family's lives. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of my little brother. You are right, he wasn't a "junkie" or "low life" -- He was a funny, smart, hard working, loving kid who was taken too soon.
ReplyDeleteAgain, thank you for your kind words and support.
Thank you Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteYour Dad, Mom and Amanda touched my heart when I emceed Rally Round Recovery in 2011. I have a book coming out in May called Soul Parole: Making Peace with My Mind, GOD and Myself (AMAZON). It recounts my 28 year battle with addiction to finding my dream in sobriety on comedy stages, film and TV.
There is a section called INSPIRATIONS. Billy will be immortalized in that section with a chapter updating that blog and Billy's photo. I am honored to call your family friends...
Gratefully,
Tommy Connolly