FENTANYL KILLS: Drew Swan's Story
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ย. 2023
- Greg Swan, co-founder of Fentanyl Fathers, shares his story of losing his 24-year-old son to fentanyl poisoning. Illicit fentanyl is a dangerous, life-threatening drug frequently found in other illicit drugs and results in the death of 200 people per day in the US. This is just one of those stories and delivers an urgent warning to avoid all illicit drugs.
Learn more about Fentanyl Fathers at fentanylfathers.org/
To use this or any other Texas Pictures documentary at high schools or in other educational applications, contact Texas Pictures through our website at www.texas-pictures.com.
If you have a story you'd like to share, learn more about the process and reach out to us at our website - www.texas-pictures.com/Share....
Naloxone, the active ingredient in 4mg Narcan and higher dose 8mg Kloxxado, along with many generic versions, can reverse an opioid overdose if administered quickly enough. Some areas have Naloxone available for free. Google it.
In the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to connect with a caring counselor.
Learn more about the dangers of illicit fentanyl at:
DEA - www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness
CDC - www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fent...
Fentanyl Fathers - fentanylfathers.org/
A Change for Cam - achangeforcam.org/
I never met Drew. I briefly dated his younger brother Jack, a few years after he Drew died. Jack talked about Drew all the time. The loss Drew had such big impact on his younger brother. I haven't talked to Jack in years but this video showed up on my recommended. Because of Jack, I'll always remember Drew's story. That's the power of love and the ways we impact those in our lives.
"That's the power of love" like "girlfriend" and "boyfriend" hopping, US style.TRUE!😂
@@truthadvocacy Sorry for whatever's going in your life to make you act out like this. Hope it gets better for you.
@@truthadvocacyshe was talking about the power of one brothers love for another and the impact it left on her memory ect. Your comment was just ugly.
What a sad individual you are. I hope love comes into your life and adds some much needed empathy. @@truthadvocacy
so sorry for your loss another young life taken way too soon keep doing what your doing for drew your doing amazing the more all the kids understand about drugs the better schools don’t speak about these issues enough but hopefully now you’ve got it in some schools they will all follow British schools need to start doing the same
I know Drew’s dad personally and he is one of the strongest and wonderful people that I have ever met. The pain never goes away. Please continue to lift his dad and family in prayer. ❤❤❤❤❤❤. We love you Greg!
Then tell him his son was murdered by the mafia who did covid and has taken over the world drugs are part of that war and if his son knew the future plans like the marijuana being legalized then for certain he was targeted by this globalist mafia.
Absolutely, you can see how much Greg loves his son. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for sharing Drew’s story. If it helps save one person Drew’s legacy will carry-on
"Faded Flower"
By Steven F Gooden-Cohen
I lay you down
Gently
I Hold you
Not so tight
I speak to you softly
Before Your Bloom
Has Turned to Night
The Color in Your Hair's Gone Grey
AndvLifes Sweet Scent Has Flown Away
But The Memory of
You in Your Glory
Is What With Me
Will Always Stay
Faded Flower
Even When Your Bloom
Has Turned To
Grey
Youre Still my Favorite Faded Flower
Though Your Sweet Scent
Has Blown Away
I knew That This Day
Would Come
I Knew Your
Sun would Set
But We Are Never Really Ready
It Seems To Sudden Comes That Rest
Thank You
For All The Spring
Times When i held Your Bloom In My Careess
For All The Joy
And Warm Embrace
You Gave Us All Your Very Best
Faded Flower
You Once Bloomed
In The Sun & Played
MY Beautiful Favorite Flower
Your Sweet Scent
With Me Will Stay
Faded Flower
Soon Again
Your Night
Will Turn
To Day
For You My Favorite Flower In My Memory
Your Bloom
Will Never
Fade Away
My Sweet Faded Flower
I'll always See
You Bloomed
In Every Memory
Following
Morning, Night, And
Noon.
You'll Bloom Again
I Promise
You'll Bloom Again
Soon.
You'll Bloom Again
Faded Flower
Where the Sun
Will Never Set
Faded Favorite Flower
I'll see You Too
When My Spring
Has Passed.
@@stavros333 Ways to interpret the BIBLE: 5 points of GOSPEL:
- Figurative 1.) Christ died
- Symbolical 2.) for our sins
- Literal 3.) was buried
- Devotional 4.) rose again
- Historical 5.) According to the script.
- Dispensational
GOD`s expectations to us;
- REPENT!
- BORN AGAIN!
- BE HOLY!
- EXPOSE EVIL!
- DO THE WILL OF YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER!
God bless you and thank you for the reminder and I screenshot it to share it. I will crop it as well. Have a beautiful and blessed day. 💕
I Lost my 18 year old Son on June 23, 2022. He took a pill that was laced with Fentanyl...The pain never goes Away, I miss him so much...
My condolences to you and your family!🥺
🙏
I'm so sorry you heart hurts 💔
Bless you and my most sincere condolences to you 💗
I lost my eldest son to fentanyl in December 23, 2021. My embrace to you. Pain will akways be there. 💔
I have stage 4 colon cancer and really get judged for taking oxycodone & fentanyl patches. I’ve taken oxycodone in my 20s now I’m 57. And when you are in serious pain the drugs are not “fun” to take, but you are able you to function in the world. “Opioids. Are not always bad. Bless your family and your son Drew❤❤❤
I agree. Perhaps the name of this series could save the lives of some pain patients if they added the word "illicit" or maybe "street" before the word fentanyl. The illicit fentanyl is what kills. It's the worst idea anybody ever had, to furnish it illegally to those who partake in the use of street drugs. It's too strong. But prescribed by a doctor and made legally, opioids must not be villified the way they have been. People are dying from suicide and strokes, heart attacks, or just degenerating health, due to our government making doctors too afraid to treat pain. We can't pander to one group, addicts, while causing so much pain and suffering to another group, people suffering chronic pain. The fact that seems to be mostly hidden from the general public is that addiction rates are low in chronic pain patients. Legal opioids simply don't present a huge risk of addiction. I would love to see a real journalist take that false narrative and tear it apart. I am sorry for this tragic death and the loved ones who are hurting.
I take oxycodon for my messed up back never had a problem taking as doctor prescribed its ok
I agree i have had 85 surgeries mostly orthopedic just had another one i broke my elbow and it was displaced an inch. I cant take many pain meds they make me sick but take oxycodone i always weaned myself off each time. Even before when you could have more for the pain. Tylenol and ibuprofen do not work plus ibuprofen is bad for your kidneys which i had kidney cancer had tumor removed. I dont want to be a waste to society. If you are in bad legitimate pain it doesn't make you feel loopy and you can function. They act like its all or nothing we are not all the same and we dont all have addicting features. I think its genetic you usually have family members with alcohol or drugs or gambling etc. nobody in my family uses drugs. Drank a little when we played in band in the 80's but dont for long time smoked then but not a lot a pack could last me months and got stale and thru out. Was very easy for me to quit without help after couldn't smoke in bars or restaurants i will have a few every 5 years then not again for years. Bought a back end of December only smoked 3. I have my whole left leg with nerve damage have claw toe my foot feels like a 20 lb brick that's how i fell and broke elbow. Cant get any pain relief thanks to government and i perfer drs to fix it but won't. Had 4 back surgeries least my back is better but couldn't get all of disc material out it was so stuck to nerve root and its displaced and now more. I would love to give these people making these decisions a taste of what real pain is they have no clue and causing these people to get drugs off the streets which kills them because they have fentanyl in them or they kill themselves and are making the drug dealers rich instead of being under care of physicians who know you. Pain management sent a prescription of narcan with my first rx for pain meds with them which they where in facility that did all my Ortho surgeries and knew from last mri in 2021 needed another back surgery i took it back to pharmacy for someone who really needs it. If i was going to be an addict it would have been back in the 90's. I would say no to friends doing drugs in the 80's before that slogan even was. I told them dont worry bout asking me and im never going to buy any to share with you. So they stopped asking and i never used street drugs not even marijuana. So it should be treated as a case by case basis
I’ve had L 95 lumbar broken 63 times..can’t stand reading comments about people on pain medication that need it..ok we get it there’s humans that need pain relief around the clock..we r talking about a young person over dose..
U sound when I read ur paragraph like u r high as heaven..again that’s horrible ur in pain if u really need those opioids u don’t need to justify to random people y u need them..majority people on narcotic pain killers don’t need to b on them
My son broke his arm and they put a plate in his arm and introduced him to oxy. He got the taste and eventually became addicted. My other son was a diabetic and he died in a car fire when he went into a diabetic coma. Both of my sons are deceased now. I feel your pain.
❤️
Oh my goodness, I’m so very sorry. I’ve no words. Sending hugs and prayers ❤️🙏
So sorry for your loss, may your sons rest in peace
I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
I'm sorry for your pain!
🖤💔🖤
FIRST, you take the drug, then the drug takes YOU. Thank you Greg for all you have done in terms of "giving back", in the face of the most egregious loss a parent can experience.
You are all focused on the drug and not what the drug is the REMEDY FOR.
Not always
@@user-px2mu1rd5b what is the remedy? I'm intrigued!!
That may well be, but therapy isn't affordable for most people, so they probably aren't aware that they're using substances as a bandaid for a deep problem. And what useless bandaides drugs and liquor are 😢
The pharmaceutical companies and doctors are to blame for this huge mess they left behind. It's amazing to me how people still intrust this drug dealers to put any of their products in their bodies. You know that reached the top when yiu have the president pushing you to get injected . Twice ... with boosters every six months.
I am from Nigeria though but I can relate to the harmful and slippery slope of addiction. Last year January, bipolar issues cause me terrible insomnia so my doctor placed me on sleep meds. The ease of falling asleep the brought made me go through the back door getting it from a pharmacy for almost 6 months. It was when it dawned on me that I was becoming an addict that I chose to fight. I ran to Christ. Noticed I sleep when I stay with someone else around or in other people’s houses. I did just that for some months and eventually got the ability to fall asleep without aide back. It’s a slippery slope indeed, I pray God gives strength to anyone who’s battling an addiction
@@brendaanderson8509 Melatonin is a hormone, safe, but will lose it's effectiveness over time and should only be taken sometimes, not nightly if it can be helped because taking anything regularly will cause Insomnia to become worse. Diphenhydramine is powerful, can be hard on the liver and kidneys depending on what you are taking exactly, and has been proven to be associated with Alzheimers. I take both of these and I do find the latter to be addictive. I take it more than I should and my Insomnia is much worse when I quit taking it. I would definitely take anything but that that you can get over the counter. Obviously limit screen time an hour before bed and try to read a good book instead. Limit caffeine intake to no more than 2 servings a day, and try not to have any after lunchtime if you can help it. The Olly brand of Melatonin works great. You can take up to 10mg but I find 5 usually does the trick. They also make Sleepytime tea and other Nighttime teas with Valerian root in it. Some even have Melatonin as well and they work pretty good. It's dumb because doctors prescribe Hydroxizine for sleep as a safer alternative to benzos but it is essentially an antihistamine like diphenhydramine but doesn't work as well and is not meant to be taken long term so what's the point! It just makes me super lethargic but doesn't help with my sleeping. Insomnia stinks. I've been battling it myself for decades. I feel like deep down if you are becoming reliant on something that isn't good for you, you will know. Anything can become a bad habit. Even food. Listen to your body. ❤
Addiction to sleep meds is a minimal thing compared to other addictions. Unless you’ve experienced a hard addiction… you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. It’s insulting.
@heiny420 A lot of people have a gateway drug that leads them to addiction. Realizing that a "lesser" drug can become problematic shows them that they are more susceptible to getting hooked, therefore they need to use extra caution to not mess with party drugs or potentially habit forming substances. Pretty much all legitimate sleeping meds have been banned or are hardly ever prescribed anymore for being so dangerous. Most fall in the same class of drugs that start many dependencies (those that are prescribed for sleep, anxiety, or injury), and they are extremely risky because not only are they legally prescribed, but most often they are combined with Fentanyl, or unknowingly contain Fentanyl when sold on the streets. I think it is a brave and informative post this person shared and shines a light on the fact that this can happen anywhere, to anyone, and with almost anything, even in the most innocent and harmless seeming of circumstances. Even food is one of the most common and dangerous things there is to be addicted to. How fast something kills us is not the point; it is the addiction itself that is so dangerous- one man's pleasure is another man's poison. This person struggled and realized it could get worse and stopped it. That is worthy information to share, and not at all "insulting". You might want to develop a thicker skin cause there was nothing insulting in their comment. All stories of struggle and the ability to help one's self are valid. It is completely uncool to try to shame people for sharing their personal story and for being vulnerable and trying to help others. Choose battles that are worthy of fighting.
@@heiny420 This person did not compare themselves, you did. They offered their experience and struggles and you took offense for some reason. Until you have walked in a persons shoes, you don’t have a right to diminish them… THATS insulting.
I totally agree that that person was absolutely allowed to express hiss struggle with sleeping pills . Any type addiction is a cross to bare and a painful fight to overcome and definitely any type of addicting medication can lead into another worse addiction. It’s a gateway into worse drugs and can go on and on . People are allowed to open up and tell their story / experience. They are brave to do so. Don’t offend someone in doing so .
Drew's story is devastating. I was never popular enough to be invited to use with people. I constantly wish I was more accepted by the in crowd. But I still wasn't. Looking back, that is what kept me clean through my HS years. THANK GOD. I made it to middle-aged unaddicted and healthy because of that.
I understand what you mean but sadly this drug doesn't discriminate. His dad said he was prescribed oxy for an injury, which is the story of many. 😢
blessing in disguise
the people you use with are not really your friends. they leave the moment the shit hits the fan
He started with cough syrup. Then pot, illegal drugs.
I’m right there with you. It worked out well in the end. That party life is OVERRATED!
This is my brothers story too. Good looking, smart, intelligent… with the world at his feet. He could have done anything and been successful. He passed away 3 months ago, most likely from an OD (tox still pending). I myself struggled with opiates for 15+ years. I’m 8 years sober. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but it was the best thing I ever did. You can recover. But if you don’t, there is only 3 places you will end up: jail, rehab, or dead. So if this is your story too, then try. If you fall, get back up and try again. It IS possible. Praying for all those who are and have been impacted by this epidemic. ❤
I’m so sorry for your loss I too lost my son to addiction at age 33 😞.
That is the key. We do recover, BUT we must ALWAYS get BACK UP!!! 💯
Well done on your recovery! But I'm puzzled. There's wall-to-wall publicity about the fatal dangers of illegal substances.
If someone said Drink this bottle of battery acid, I doubt you'd do so.
I'm not casting judgements and I'm clearly missing something.
With all the info about the dangers, can I ask how and why you started abusing drugs?
Thanks🙂
@@splinterbyrd That's exactly the point. You know that you will get very sick or die, when you drink battery-acid. But when a doctor perscribes you battery acid, with another label on it, without telling you what it is ánd claim it will help you with your pain ánd has a certain status because he's wearing a white coat....you gave the answer yourself. More or less.
I believe it's the doctors responsibility to care for his patients. Perscribe small amounts. Have shorter intervals between follow-ups. Warn your patients. Give them flyers, possibilities to inform themselves.
But I DO agree with you: everyone that can have access to a pc or a smartphone has access to a worldwide web of information. A complete encyclopedia. But people seldom use it, as such.
People are lazy. In these times and in a kapitalistic society you just can't afford to say: oh well, these doctors know what they're doing, right? Always be alert.
@@maryjeancola just lost my one of my brothers to an OD. In his 30s, he could’ve done anything.
This man expresses himself so well. His description of the grief he felt after losing his son to an overdose hit me in the gut. I lost my son when he was 22. Oh Lord, have mercy.
My heart goes out to you in your loss as well.
@@trishalee3198 Thank you trisha. I know where my son is and that someday I will be with him. That has helped me survive.
i’m so sorry for your loss
@@Chloe-dv9hf Thank you Chloe.
@@margaretdasilva5493 your reply was simple but really touching. i’m 25 and a recovery worker in the UK, the fentanyl crisis hasn’t hit us yet but i dread having to inform families of bad news, the thoughts that maybe i could do something differently. parents like yourself, we remember. we realise how lucky we are to be here and at least try to make a difference. we thank you.
My oldest son became addicted to drugs in 2010. I barely heard from him for 13 yrs & when I did I was very distant, cold & untrusting. A few months ago he told me he was clean & ready to come home. I had heard this so many times before so I stayed guarded & emotionless. On February 20, 2024 at 11:30pm I got a knock on my door. It was an officer telling me my son had overdosed on herion/fentenol & passed away. He was 1900 miles from home. The pain, sadness & guilt my 2 ypunger sons and I feel right now is beyond words. Especially me because I didn't know how to help him and I completely failed him.
❤
Ex Florida girl. Hello from your old state. My brother died of acute fentynal poisoning. He had been an addict for years. My brother was the straightest guy in high school and college. I had nightmares about losing him. 5 years later it happened. He was prescribed a Duragesic patch by his doctor. A cheap band-aid regulates a week's worth of Fentynal by way of his skin. I have never lost a child, but losing my only sibling was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I had the right words to say to you, but I don't. I am a believer in Jesus, he is my hope, my eternity. He is the only reason I could deal with the death of my brother. I will pray for you and your family. It does get easier as time goes by. Love and cherish those you have with you. God bless the memory of your son.
Florida girl here... The oxy's got me and a lot of my friends in the early timid 2000's. Just taking them once I was hooked... Couldn't make it through the day without. Takes over your mind and it's all you can think about... Is an awful cycle that you can't get out of. I lost two family members bc of them. It took me many years of methadone treatment and a very slow taper off to finally get free. It's a hard thing to shake and no one can do it for you. Just know the person feels bad for the pain they cause others, they love them and want nothing more than to be clean and not hurt anyone.... They are in emotional pain even if you can't see it or think they are... But it's an enormous hold they are under that controls their mind and it changes brain chemistry and the physical dependence is so strong.... You have to be strong willed to get out of the grip it has.
I am so sorry for your loss and for your pain. I hope you overcome the feeling of guilt. It is not your fault. Drugs are stronger than anything you could have done. I wish they would be able to stop those that produce and provide drugs more efficiently....
You did not fail him…forgive yourself, you are human. We all are. 💗
I too lost my 26 year old son to Fentanyl, and 3 years later I'm still grieving his death, while still dealing with guilt and regrets of things I could have said or done, and things not said or done. The only thing holding me together is my faith in God, and believing he is in Heaven. I miss him dearly!
Thank you for your kind words. As I too am sorry for your loss as well, but we can be rest assured that by us just believing and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, that we will see our loved ones again, and will one day have a flesh and bone body again, being the good news of the gospel being John 3:16. A couple scriptures that helped me with my grief of my son was Isaiah 57:1, John 6:53, and watching a lot of videos on Heaven! Take care and God Bless!
Thank you for your kind words. May God Bless you and yours!@ganeshpatel8065
God bless you. I too lost my son from fentanyl 3 yrs ago. I'm sorry we have to go through this pain.
I pray you can forgive yourself. We all have regrets of this nature, but in reality, It is probably your love and the love of others that kept your loved one alive as long as they did last
There's nothing any of us can do to stop this madness our kids get caught up in. They've got to want to live and fight for it . All we can do is be there for support and keep them in prayer 🙏. Believe me, I know and have tried everything known to man but ultimately it's their will to live. God bless us all
Just a reminder addiction doesn't discriminate! Thank you for sharing your story. I was able to get out of my 15 year opioid heroin addiction in the midst of covid in 2020. I know God has a plan for your family we need to educate and thanks to Texas Pictures doc y'all are able to do this! Love and prayers to your family
Proud of you for recovering! Keep it up. Don't look back!
Congrats on your recovery!! It’s been 5,586 days (a bit more than 15 years) on my journey.
Take it moment by moment, know you are worthy, and stay safe!!
🖤🖤🖤
Congratulations on your sobriety!!!
Congratulations on your sobriety. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🎉🎉
That it doesn't! So ready to start my recovery. It's so hard to stop once it's a daily thing. 😮💨 I told myself at 26 "Ok Charli, you've did your experimenting, you're getting older. Weed smoke only .. I'll be damned if my pops didn't pass and I met my fiance 2 months after, he was a pill poppin animal then, and still is, only difference is I followed him like a nut case. Wasn't addicted to the percs, just liked them... thought the 30s were the real ones, by the time I found out exactly what it was. I stopped and got sick as hell, couldn't take it, here I am today. 32 years functioning addict.... 😢 I don't steal, I support myself and I put it up my nose. 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️😮💨😮💨😮💨 Hard for me to say on comments, but if I can help someone NOT START that'll be awesome. Keep up the good walk!!!! Stay strong!!!
Oh my gosh, I feel your pain. We lost our teenage son to suicide, and gutted is a good word. I’m still gutted 12 years later. No one really gets it except another bereaving parent. I’m so sorry.
I lost my life long friend to 5uicide. It’s a terrible way to lose someone. My sincerest condolence for a tragic loss. ❤❤❤❤
I’m so sorry for your loss. ❤❤❤
Sending you waves of comfort. May you find peace. 🙏
I know. It's been 4yrs for me and I'm only ok when I'm in my bedroom in the dark.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
A year ago Today I lost my daughter. Fentanyl was one of five causes of her death.She was very sick for years. She told me it was prescribed by some drug dealer doctor.Im learning to be strong and find joy again, because she wanted me to be happy. I thank God for the time God shared her with me, 36 years. Knowing she's is happy in Heaven with my sister's and parents keeps me going, knowing we will hold each other again someday and give each other the greatest hugs in the world! Thanks for sharing your brave story.
Mr. Swan: I wanted to leave you a comment to let you know, first, how very heartbroken I was when watching this. Drew was absolutely beautiful, and he had a lovely soul and a heart for God. How proud you must be.
You are so well-spoken and one of the most honest and forthcoming persons, being humble enough to even speak of things you regret. How I admire you, and I am grateful for those who advocate and go on to flourish in helping others throughout their own grief.
I am going to pray for you and your family. I dealt with my daughter's addiction to heroin, and every single night I was terrified I was going to get the phone call that she was gone. One evening, she and her best friend and roommate, who used with my daughter and was the one who introduced opiates to her and then heroin, used some heroin. Her best friend, Sarah, collapsed in front of her, fell into the bathtub and died within seconds. My daughter finally agreed to rehab that weekend. She has been clean for 3 years, and I worry about relapse all of the time, but she will not even take pain pills for dental surgery, etc. The worry and pain in your soul cannot be adequately described.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. It is sorely, sorely needed. I send much love and a heap of respect to you and your beautiful family.
Wow, the fact that your son felt comfortable enough to write you and open up his deepest feelings, is a beautiful testament to the relationship you built with him.
Over 100,000 youth last year alone. So sad, unbelievable heart ache.
He wasn't so smart if he took drugs.. bad decisions bring bad results. Very sad but I could never understand the mentality of these kids.. I felt the parents expected too much from him they put that pressure on him to be beyond his abilities
@@dblessed55a doctor got him hooked it seems ok when a doctor gives you a script saying it’s ok .
Clown
@@dblessed55- It’s clear from your comment that you don’t fully understand the disease of addiction and are looking at this from purely a logical perspective. Addiction is the most illogical disease on the planet, and if it was just about making better choices, we wouldn’t have the epidemic that we have right now with so many people who have lost their lives. Addiction doesn’t discriminate based on intelligence or any other factor. There is no such thing as being too smart to get hooked on drugs because again, this isn’t about intelligence. Once a person is in the throes of addiction, they lose the ability to make those choices.
@@Davmartin-kp1yqhe was already addicted to stuff before the dr wrote a script
This man is a compelling storyteller. God has given you a gift.
He sounds so detached. In denial for so many years.
A story of classic denial.
@@r.c.miller6161be nice
He seems non chalant to me.
Great comment!!! Yes very gifted story teller!
_Rest in eternal peace, Drew._ ❤
I lost my little sister to opiates. She ended up on heroin and jumped in front of a train in April of 2020.
Oh, how I hurt for you!
😢 so very sorry..
@NickanM And I bet on the death certificate it said cause of death was Covet.💯%
@@victorpeirce4753
Covid?
So sorry for your loss. It's freaking horrific.
My brother just died a month ago from fentanyl. We had no idea he was using. He even lived with us so I feel like an idiot and I should have known something was different. He's always struggled with alcohol, then pills, then Xanax then I guess fent. I love you Jarrod. I'm sorry I couldn't help you. I'll miss you forever little brother.
Honey, he probably didn’t even know he was taking fentanyl. It’s just put in every other drug and drugs that maybe you could’ve lived from you don’t when fentanyl is added I’m so sorry I’m so very sorry.
My brother died also in 2019. He was addicted to oxy and when the doctors stopped giving it to him he bought it from the streets. He overdosed on this damn poison fentanyl and was left in a car and died 😢😢😢. I feel your pain as it never goes away. So sorry for your loss 🙏😢
It's not your Fault..God send love to family.prayers to you
It's so crazy that one pill can have enough drug to kill a person. Why do the dealers do this?? Wouldn't they want repeat customers? I don't get it. I'm so sorry for your family and the loss of your brother.
Love to all those left behind❤❤
I'm so sorry for your loss 🙏
I put my parents through hell when I was using. They threw F bombs at me, and told me the same things you told your son. It didn't help, until I wanted help. Grateful to have almost 15 years sober. I'm praying for all affected by this awful disease. 🙏❤
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I am so proud of you I hope my son will be sober like you
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praying for you and your son ❤@@nazahusic3353
Thank you so much 💜 I need your prayer!! & YOU Keep up your walk & Stay strong!!! We need to hear success stories. It's sooo many who weren't lucky and lost especially to that drug. 😢😢😢
My 1st born son got addicted to fentanyl in 2019 , he’s 23 now and I fear every day that I might lose him. We’ve tried everything even allowed him to be homeless for 2 years and that killed me. I would cry at night in bed thinking how my son was in a tent and didn’t have a bed. He has much younger siblings so he couldn’t come home but his grandma finally felt so bad and let him live with her with the promise he would get on suboxone. Six months later he still hasn’t. He is given the resources, heck he doesn’t even need to go to a clinic, he can do it all over the phone and FaceTime the doc. I paid $3,000 for him to go to a one week detox a year ago. He left less then 24 hours after being there. I feel desperate to save his life but I know I’m totally powerless and only he can do it for himself with the grace of God.
There is help out there. You can call or text 988 for some guidance. Thank you for sharing.
I’m praying for him. 🙏
My son was also homeless for months. I never thought this would be my son’s life. I’m praying for yours, please pray for mine
Girl never Stop Praying for him..Don't let the Devil have him he is a child of God❤ Be strong and never let a day go by make sure he knows u L9ve him. Ask God to heal him and to use you in anyway possible. FAITH MOVES MOUNTAINS. THE DEVIL IS A LIAR. NEVER STOP PRAYING
I am currently pregnant with my first child and my biggest fear is that this may happen one day to him. I feel so sorry for you, for the helplessness you must feel.
I lost my daughter in '22. She did not die from fentanyl, but I belong to a support and the number of frntanyl deaths is staggering. It is so heart breaking.
My sister OD on heroin in 1995, in her apartment, dead for 3 days, my dad found her body.
My brother OD on Oxy’s in 2007, on a hotel floor all by himself.
My poor parents🙏two years after my sister OD I got sober 9/9/1997 by the grace of god🙏 I am so deeply blessed. It’s one of the greatest gifts I could EVER give to my hurting parents.
This disease SUCKS😡 the addict (🙋♀️) uses and the whole family suffers. Us addicts take hostages 💯
Thank you to Drew’s dad for sharing i will keep you and your family in my prayers 🙏
Our only child, our daughter, also passed away in 2013 from Fentanyl laced heroin, an ‘accidental overdose’. There really aren’t adequate words to describe the Pain, the Grief, the Overwhelming Devastation that a death like this results in.
May Gd Almighty bring you some level of comfort.
So sorry for your loss its a devil 😈 drug
and to you as well 💔💔🙏🏻🙏🏻
Shelley, my prayers to you. I am so sorry. We need to get this poison off the streets! Unite. 🙏🏻❤️🇺🇸
I'm sorry for your loss as well Shelley. It never goes away the loss of a child.
God Bless you.
This broke my heart. Intelligence, talent, good-looking, charismatic, and a loving family. Addiction really doesn't discriminate. This beautiful young man had everything going for him. This world lost a special soul way too soon. Like Drew's father said, he is certain that his son was saved. There is peace in knowing Drew is with the Lord. Drew was so lucky to have you as his earthly father.
Well said
Earthly father ❤️ Such a beautiful and true comment !!
Yes... Read Matthew Perry's book. He explains it well. What a demon addiction is.
NOT from LOVING FAMILY...from BROKEN family
Exactly, addiction don’t discriminate but people do. A lot of people, truth be told would not be empathetic if someone looked like the stereotype of a drugged (and that say more about those that stereotype cos there is none). The stereotype usually starts from a deficit in life and no loving supportive family. So how does someone like this get into drugs when they start of on a winning streak?! We need to be empathetic to everyone that isnt strong enough to say NO to drugs especially those in the gutter to start with. I mean would you survive the worst of gutters without going on drugs to forget?!! Love to all and no stereotyping. People are people and we should love everyone without stereotyping judgement.❤
I’m very glad I listened to this . I’m not directly involved with drugs I’m Scottish and as far as I know fentanyl hasn’t arrived here yet , but it will and I hope we are prepared. This gentleman is to be applauded for using his grief and anger to positive affect 🙏🙏🙏
I lost my son 3 months ago due to his addictions. The loss the grief the empty feeling is unbearable at times. So so many different emotions I never knew existed. May your soul find peace my son. ❤
I lost both my son and my daughter within just one year .I am so full with grief …. I just don’t know what I will ever do…. Thank you for this story….
Very sorry for your loss. There is help out there. All kinds of support groups on Facebook and other social media sites.
@@TexasPictures Thank you very much.
My Lord. I cant even hold your loss in my head without tears. So sorry, for what thats worth. My heart breaks for you.
Please live for them🙏
Oh God I’m so sorry. This is heartbreaking.
This man is a dream of a father. Intelligent, compassionate, loving, realistic.
This message from the father of Drew Swan is by far the best PSA on the dangerous threat of Fentanyl I’ve come across. Thank you for capturing it and sharing it. I hope it survives long enough to inspire and truly help others as much as possible!
I’m so truly sorry over your loss of Drew. You are telling the story of my middle son Carter. He was so darling and he and his two brothers are everything to me. I lost him in 2014. His choice of drug was oxicotin. Think it started when he had his wisdom teeth pulled. I never gave up on Carter. My husband and I tried every treatment program available. That phone call that I knew for years could happen did. The grief for me was unbearable. Carter was beyond cherished from the moment of conception. He would be fourty years old November 2024. He died 291/2 years of age. Thank you for telling your story about Drew and honoring his life with your outreach to others. And I do know that there are so many precious boys and girls that we have lost in the Unite States and world wide. I’m learning that this epidemic has been intentional by different evil psychopaths and our US Government. And I am beyond furious. Nothing will ever bring Carter back. I want Justice and for this madness to stop. 🙏
I agree. This epidemic is intentional. I am from Canada and we lost our son 6 weeks ago to a fentanyl overdose. He would have turned 40 this November 28, 2024. The pain is raw. We are devastated in spite of knowing that he is in a better place where he is free and no longer hunted by his addictions.
Greg, it takes a big person to admit you had a problem with alcohol too. Your courage in talking about such a personal tragedy.
It's so very difficult and traumatizing to have a kid suffering with addiction. My daughter had an opiate addiction for several years, which started with Oxy. They will gaslight you, beg you, yell at you, cry, etc. Everyday I prayed she would live; and she did. She was lucky I guess as many of her friends passed from an overdose. Fortunately, she's doing really well now. There's no formula, just day by day. RIP Drew-you were a beautiful boy. Sorry, Dad, that this happened to you. 😢
God will never disappoint when you ask HIM always remember that - you can forget everything else.
Bless the Lord !!!!
I really hate that rehabs tell people that the percent is so low for recovery! I went to 11 residential rehabs and I always felt no hope due to the stats but finally a counselor told me that a %100 of people who follow the program and listen to support can get better and 13 years later here I am still sober. They need to stop telling addicts who are in a bad head space a reason to give up and help them get better!
Some believe that rehabs depend on relapse as a profit center.
I agree 100%. When I was listening to this story, and this father was explaining the moment his son 'believed' his recovery possibilities were 2% something inside of me said, 'This is wrong' . Hopelessness was being sold and disguised as 'being realistic'. This kind of message gets projected and stuck in this vulnerable and sensitive minds and then in the low days instead of a message of hope and strength they find their death sentence. ❤
Wow. There are no words. My heart go's out to this man and his family. One day we will all be together again with no more sin or death or sickness
As a bereaved parent myself of a son around the same age I got a lot out of this man’s story. I’m thankful he shared it.
Amen. Prayers for you and your loved ones.
I am so sorry for your loss, as a parent I know how awful it must be I am sending you so so much love and hugs, I hope you have great family and friends as they will keep you going! Are you in the UK? Please make sure you are looking after yourself, eating is very important and getting out of the house, walking is very good for you, I will be thinking of you, if you need a chat I am here sometimes speaking to,a stranger can help! ❤️❤️❤️
When we hear someone sharing what we feel inside, that can be so healing. May it bring you comfort & healing. 😢
🤍🤍🤍
As a mother of six I hope to never know that kind of pain.
I prayed God would lock my son up to protect him so he could get off the drugs,but there are more drugs in jail than out.
The withdrawals from opioids is worse than hell. I've been clean since 2011 and I can still vividly remember what my body felt like the times I was going thru withdrawal. I would never wish that on my worst enemy. My heart goes out to everyone struggling with any addiction, but especially with opioid addiction. And my heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones to this horrible, horrible epidemic.
Back in 2002 my WD was so bad 'But could have been worse Physically ' tho Mentally I was almost dead , I poured boiling water on my leg 3 times just to go to the ER & get Opiates , yea that worked but I almost lost my foot due to 'compartment syndrome ' then suffered the recovery for almost 6 months. Withdraw is awful . Glad your doing well now , take care .
@@DavidJones-ib3zyOh My😢
The mental torture you go through lasts longer than any physical pain I've endured. You get this flight or fight fear every time you realise that your high is going. For me, I never really stopped to think why I was scared of withdrawal. Apart from the obvious physical pain, I needed to be able to put on a front and not let anyone know my secret. I was also scared of going to the darkest place that you could ever go to mentally. It is not only the darkest but the loneliest. It's like all the negative emotions get thrown at you at once. I think that's why there's so many co-dependant relationships in addiction. People who have never gone through drug addiction could never understand. It's not a case of not wanting to get clean or not loving your family enough. Addiction has the habit of making you put it before anyone. To the point that it's all that you can care about, never mind who you want to care about. The unknown fear is what keeps you putting it first. It's a fear that you can never conquer without help. Then, the ones who do conquer it are the ones who are sober just now. We become addicts not for pleasure but to mask pain. Anyone who judges addicts I can only think that you have gone through it yourself so you understand what's it's like, for you to have an opinion that can be so damaging and impactful to an addict that it could be the last opinion they ever hear. Just be kind. Be open-minded. Be there for them without enabling them. It's the darkest, lonliest place you can be. They need everyone and anyone who loves them to show them what they can have when it's over.
Very well said.
@jl_nwestie wow! I absolutely agree with everything you said. It's absolutely deplorable how critical some people are of addicts or even ex-addicts. It's like we chose to go down the darkest, loneliest, hardest road we could think of and continued to do so for years sometimes simply because we didn't have the will power or self control to stop. There is no will power when an addiction takes hold of you.
Drew seems like he was an amazing person and I hope that his story helps others. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
Hugs to you my Brother! I just found out 9 days ago my Sister, 47 died of a drug overdose! We still haven’t received the toxicology report but I’m assuming Fentanyl was involved! I am dazed and feeling helpless, hopeless & ANGRY!!! Throughout this process I’ve been trying to get ahold of myself!!! Listening to this was hard and heartbreaking but also so helpful! I appreciate your honesty about mistakes we may have made or not acted upon enough! This Monster needs destroyed!
As a Sister, living in SW Florida myself, let me know where I can help! We gotta stick together and fight this!!!
Thank you for this. My sister overdosed on fentanyl 2 years ago. A big part of my life ended when hers did. The pain of getting that phone call is something I will never forget. I suffer from PTSD because of it. She was my everything. We were all each other had growing up. She still comes to see me almost every night in my dreams. I hate waking up and realizing it was only a dream and she isn't really here. I can't wait to be with her again.
Awww hugs. Yes she’s absolutely in your dreams. I sure wish my mom and sister would visit. Or my husband. God bless you❤️
This made me cry. I love my sister so much and can only begin to imagine the pain you are going through. Much love to you and your heavenly sister. I wish you light, love and healing. You deserve it.
I can understand your guilt. However you can NOT help anyone until they are ready for it. I spent several years wondering what I did wrong and could do differently to help my (now ex fiance) to get off drugs. Unfortunately his need for drugs was much stronger than his need for us. I finally had to walk away to save myself. I am now happily married but I still remember those years.
Sending u ❤ and healing energy.
This is the definition of a father and dad. He wasn’t naive about what the world is about. He praised his son achievements but didn’t make it seem like his son was a perfect person and blame others for his son’s actions! He even told us about his flaws in past, which I find is rare bc parents always act like they were perfect children to their parents and life. He did his best as a father but at the end of the day, you can’t control what kids do when they leave the house. I hope you find peace sir. God will always be with you!
Well said. 🩵
Thank you for sharing your story. My brother was a drug addict. It started in high school. I remember how much pain and suffering his drug use caused our family. Unfortunately, at the age of 21 my brother took his own life. I believe the guilt he felt about his using was too much for him to live with. He was young, handsome, hard worker, loved his friends, had a wonderful girlfriend. In march it will be 30 years since we’ve lost him. I still grieve for him everyday. Our lives have never been the same.
Thank you for sharing your story. I admire you for being so honest and forthright. Our good friend lost his 24 year son to fentanyl two years ago and it was devastating for his family and friends. This is definitely an urgent problem that we need to address.
So eloquent & brilliantly spoken! I lost my daughter in ‘17. Suicide was her choice, however, I’m still bereaved & shocked! Your words hit me like an avalanche. So very loquacious. Thank you. All my feelings were validated. God Bless you & your family. 🙏❤️
bless you and your loss 💔💔🙏🏻🙏🏻
Prayers for you!! Sorry for your loss Mary💔
❤
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
My deepest condolences may she rest in paradise 🌹
Mine started out with cough medicine…then it got worse. I went to rehab in 2004, my son in 2nd grade, and he cried for me at night. It tore my heart out. I got better. But I did fentanyl as well and loved it. God wants me here for a reason. My 2nd reason came in 2008, my daughter. I live today for my children and my husband.
Same story here. Only now, I watch my oldest(22)struggle with addiction. It’s horrific.
@@BS-dq1kz I'm 45 and have struggled with active somewhat functional addiction over half my life. I have 2 high schoolers and I've never hidden my struggles with them. I pray they use me as an example of how not to excell in life. My biggest fear also is one of them getting caught up in addiction also!
Cough syrup? Millions have used cough syrup and never hit the street drugs. I. Sorry for your son. But this is ridiculous.
@@laurie113 it's prescription cough syrup they are talking about. It had hydrocodone in it, an opiate. Look up the term "lean" or "sizzurp"
@@laurie113probably codeine cough syrup, ask questions if you don’t understand. This was extremely rude and cold hearted. Happy holidays.
You described your pain of grieving exactly how I still feel -10 years later-due to the death of my son, Dane. Your Drew was a light and a talent and had a zest that was visible just looking at him. He's the kind of child I would be attracted to just to stand in his light. After 10 years of therapy, writing Dane's memoir, and working with F.A.N., I have come to a place of peace (sorta.) I liken grief to a 12 step and I have worked it hard to arrive where I am today. I finally have landed here: I was chosen as the best parent to love and help my troubled child. No one could have done it better and this I am sure of. He was a gift for 31 years and I know that I made his life the best it could be. I have to be honored to have been chosen for this role. Better to have love and lost and all of that BS! He is my angel and I talk to him daily and smile at our memories-trying not to dwell on the mess that the last seven years of his life were. Living near Detroit is no excuse. As Dane once told me, 'Mom, drugs are available right here in Harrison Twp.!-no need to hit 8 Mile." It's so sad and unnecessary. As much as it truly sucks, live in the joy that your boy brought you. I am truly sorry for your loss. j
So many lives lost to fentanyl. So many heart broken families, prayers to all that have lost dear ones. 🙏
What an amazing father. The devil has really found a new tool and it's beyond tragic. We're losing so many amazing kids 😢 I'm so sorry for your loss.
He really is. The part of him having breakfasts with his son really touched my heart. Drew was lucky!!!!
The Devil- wow
You're right, so many are dying in this generation, ever more than mine, it keeps getting worse and worse. I'm a little older than these kids, but even 10 years ago in my generation so many had passed away from addiction. They weren't all great friends, but I lost a few friends, not to mention all the other tons of people who passed away. This is very hard for me to watch, it's sad. In fact a lot of these fentanyl Kills are hard for me to watch. I still get nightmares about my friend who passed away from drug addiction. I feel like I could have helped him more before he died, but unfortunately I didn't and he passed away not long after. I get nightmares about it pretty often.
Facts😢
@@doreen1289yes the devil! Seeks to devour!
This father’s ability to put into words the relationship he had with his son and his will to make a difference touched my heart. He’s absolutely right, these classes and your videos should be mandatory in all schools across this country. I truly believe it would save so many kids-teens.
This is the kind of father I wish I had. God bless you and your family.
Thank you for channeling your grief in such a positive and critically important way. I can see why your son respected and admired you so much.
Two, yes TWO on my nephews passed due to fentanyl overdose. Their mother, my sister, lost two sons to Fentanyl
Drugs do not discriminate. There are no words to describe our families sadness in their losses. I pray that no families continue to endure this loss. My condolences to Drews family.
Your poor sister. God bless and comfort you all.
The fact that Drew had the amazing relationship with his dad and could be open with him is everything
That trust was totally destroyed because the Father became the opposite of what Drew loved him for. As it turned out his father made the bottom fall out of his world by not staying loyal to his wife and family. You could never have trusted your father again. Instead of having the son idolise him G of should be his IDOL, not the Father or the Drugs. That’s the very HEART OF CHRISTIANITY. Repent and accept God’s forgiveness. Amen.
@@user-px2mu1rd5b You know, it’s been my experience that the cruelest people in this world are the religious. Your comment has reinforced that opinion.
But why didn't he get him help! Everybody was living their own life. While he was screaming for help.
@@nancybrandergregull1247 he tried to stage an intervention and sent him to rehab multiple times, drew was an adult you cannot legally force treatment without consent in majority of cases
@@nancybrandergregull1247imagine thinking you can force someone to help themselves. Unless an addict is ready to put in the work, trying to force it is pointless. The physical dependency is only the beginning, so if you’re not really ready to commit, you’re going to end up in an endless loop.
I lost my son with the same issue. I’m just grateful the Lord has him now. Prayers for you and your family 🙏🙏🙏💚
This was so well expressed. You hit the nail on the head with talking to kids early. I remember in the early 70’s there was a major anti-heroin drive and I was only 9 or 10 years old, but I was forever petrified of the idea of heroin. It is so important for kids to learn about the dangers and have the information early and often.
Fentanyl Education should be mandated in every state. God bless you for telling your son’s story. ❤
THIS‼️‼️‼️‼️ 💔
Pis*es me off the amounts of Narcan we administer in just one month!
*Education is Key.* *#onepillcankill*
Yes, definitely!
That would ruin this administrations plans
It is mandated for physicians when they. Renew license . Interventions offered are now mandated as well
Yes. Fetanyl education and all drug education should be taught in every school in America.Don’t wait too late to begin teaching it.Even by the age of 10-11 these children need to be taught early and to be taught to never say yes to any drug .They need to be encouraged to say NO!!!
Poor Jack. So often the golden child goes, and the pedestal stays. And the other kids are left feeling "not as worthy"
Death is hard. Grief is hard. Love those left in your life!
Yes, he lived through Drew, and also failed Drew by being in awe instead of being a Parent! After Drew died, and when Jack was calling to tell him, he says that he blew off Jack's call. But if it were Drew calling, he would have picked up. He didn't give a damn about Jack even before Drew died.
So often the child that is not addicted looses out on parental attention because they are trying to save the addicted child. That was me. My sister was a terrible alcoholic. Hers started later in life. Honestly she was such a high achiever at all she did it was a shock that she became such a bad alcoholic and lost her job as a teacher of 25 years because of it. She ultimately died at 54 from chirrosis. My parents rarely came to see me and the kids. My sister lived in Michigan and I was in SC. They were just trying to save her it initially made me mad that I did all the right things and the only time they called really was to talk about my sister and what was going on with her and because I was in medicine I had access to information they sought. I ultimately understood that my parents (who were wonderful people by the way) knew I was going to be ok and they were desperately trying to save my sister. So I became at peace with it.
Stop putting them on "time out" and start spanking your kids..
Thank you for posting. I’m so sorry for your loss. Our good friend lost his son in the same way at the same age. You have given me insight into our friend’s existence. I’m passing your video on to my husband so he can better understand too. My husband has a special relationship with our friend, yet now a great divide. Your expression of love, anger, loss is incredibly powerful. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️
I’m so sorry. Drew was a very handsome guy, and sounds like a special human being. I found my son in my back yard two years ago from overdose. I know exactly how you feel, and what you’ve gone through. My son was also an exceptional person. Hugs and prayers.
I am so happy that you made this documentary. My son died when he was 27, so I do understand your pain. Your story is so heartwarming, the love just is jumping out at me…God bless you, you’re a wonderful dad and man.
What a lovely comment. I’m so sorry for your pain and loss too. My heart and best wishes go out to you.
My son is 27, he overdosed on 7/3 twice, I saved him. He overdosed an hour ago, I saved him again. Next time, I may not be there. The fear lives in me every minute of every day. May your son rest in peace 🙏
@@shannonwheeler4228 thank you. It’s interesting to note that he overdosed twice on my son’s birthday. Your family is in my prayer list. God bless you! Oh my goodness. God works miracles. May he work one in your family. He will.
@@user-fq8rs7rz3i thank you so much! You are appreciated!
@@shannonwheeler4228 I just put your family’s name in our Bible. Thought you’d want to know.
Thank you. Trying to get my 34 year old son to quit meth, oxys, & fentanyl. Please God help our children. 🇨🇦
Just prayed 🙏🏻 for your son & you 🙏🏻
Addiction is the devil it will hold on to suffocate u till u die … God rest his soul ❤😢😢
My daughter committed suicide I’m so lost my soul is gone
This is so so sad! I'm so sorry for your loss! Rest in peace Drew 🕊️
Those last 10 minutes should be broadcasted across all Highschools in the US
I can't stop crying. I understand perfectly. Something similar happened to me as a mother; the loss of two of my kids in less than two months was the most painful thing I have ever encountered in my life. I'm so sorry, and I pray for your parents and hope we all find a solution so our kids are safe.
I am so so so sorry, i cant imagine your pain... i really hope you find a way to cope, what happened to you is the worst thing imaginable, my heart is with you
Sorry for ur loss❤
My prayers for all those people who are struggling with addiction and the parents who have lost their loved ones ! It broken my heart and I pray every day for mercy.
Thank you for this openess, honesty and your engagement for a change.
Having been able to look for solution is very impressive after what you had to deal with, the extreme sadness after the loss of your son.
A young man so full of life!! So heartbreaking. We have lost 3 to overdose in our immediate family. I have so many people that tell me it will never happen in their family!! It can happen to anyone and does not discriminate!!
What do you think is going wrong in your family?
@@mfranck1most likely a generational curse which could be broken through fast and pray. I use to have a porn addiction and kept watching it but I really wanted my life to go well especially with God plus that addiction caused me to set back in my life… I did fast they never worked I thought maybe something is wrong with me. I did a fast for 3 days, no social media, no videos to trigger it and I prayed, quote scriptures and had a real conversation with my God. And I am free. Sometimes I get little flashes but I also get convicted and stop thinking about it and ask God for forgiveness. God saves.
sometimes it's where people live and their exposure to the stuff, not necessarily that something is the matter with the family@@mfranck1
I’m so sorry for your losses, Beth. I hope good memories outnumber the tragic ones.
I'm so sorry for all the loss and pain your family & yourself has endured. You have my sincere condolences. I understand words cannot take away the pain but these words have helped me often: It's not Goodbye, it's until we meet again. Hoping this may help in some small manner. Love & Light to you💙
Thank you for sharing your story. I had a boyfriend die from Fentanyl. He had been prescribed pain pills for 2 surgeries and when he couldn’t get enough of them because his body had started becoming used to the prescribed pills, he needed more. He then got them from somewhere else and ended up with fentanyl. Sadly, his 9 year old daughter found him dead in the bathroom. This happened back in February and I am still in a state of shock.
You have my sincere sympathies. Understandably, you are raw, shocked with pain. It feels like it will never get better but I promise you it will not always hurt this badly although it feels like it now. Hold tight to good memories, try if you can, to let the bad go. Something that I always to remember is: It isn't goodbye, it's until we meet again. Hoping it may help you in some small way. Love and light to you💙
So sad. I hear you.
It's horrible how family members find their loved ones in these situations. I just hope my two-year-old cousin and my three-year-old cousin don't remember shaking their mom, dad and aunt when they were poisoned by this horrible drug. The dad survived but the mother and aunt did not. We still don't know how much the little ones will remember because they were with their dead or almost dead parents and aunt for hours.
I'm so sorry about your bf. I can relate. My bf died 3 months ago at age 63 from Fentanyl. I woke up when he came to bed at dawn with a Yoplait yogurt. Then I woke up again a few hours later and he was still lying in the same position but the yogurt had spilled, which happened all the time. His favorite cat was lying on his chest as she always did. For some reason I noticed that his chest wasn't rising and falling. Other than that he looked normal and was still warm, but I tried to wake him up and got no response. I called 911, gave him mouth-to-mouth and CPR, the paramedics came and took over... I told them to give Narcan because I suspected drugs... but they couldn't bring him back. It was like a bad dream that you can never wake up from. I am 69 and in poor health. I'm extremely angry at him. That's making a long story short, but I just wanted to let you know that I understand. F-ing drugs! Hate drugs!
Oh that’s horrible news I’m so sorry for your loss
Thanks for sharing Drew's story. My Dad was a WW2 Veteran addicted to Oxycontin & alcohol which was tragic in his later life
Thank you for telling Drew’s heartbreaking story. You are doing what you need that will help you Greg. All the best to you.🙏🏻
A short video on fentanyl awareness can be played during Super Bowl instead of commercials that promote obesity in the US.I'm so sorry for your loss Sir and thank you for making a lemonade out of the lemons thrown to you❤️🙏
100% Agree .
I agree, but those advertising slots generate millions of dollars so that’s probably never going to happen.
@@susantaulli6580 i agree, sad but true...
My good friend, lost her only son in October. He had run out of his prescribed xanax and bought 2 pills to make it until he got to town. While cooking lunch for his kids, he collapsed and died on the floor in front of them. It was fentanyl that killed him. He was a recovering addict in his 50's. My friend is gutted. God bless you, Greg Swan!
So So Sad , I take Xanax everyday & could see myself doing this , I ordered some test strips 6 months ago , but thankfully have never used them . Everyone at risk (Like Me ) should try to get some test strips , it took some hunting but I got some for free , tho I suppose in smaller towns they can be much harder to get . Ill add I was at my Pharmacy / Grocery & saw Narcan for $50 ??? Man I could not afford that & thankfully A Heart Broken Mom who lost her Son to Fent started an outreach in Marietta GA that helped me with Free Narcan JIC I ever need it . God Bless This World & everyone in it .
@@DavidJones-ib3zy Narcan $50 that’s insane you can walk into any clinic or pharmacy here in Canada and get for free! Paying for it is Disgusting and such a SCAM!
Sending you peace and love and so sorry for your loss. ❤
@II-wx4kvsameee question i have because some people are addicted to it & knowingly take it daily from the streets and don’t die while others die accidentally from a little being in one pill? rip to everyone who has passed away & thank you for these videos i love to and have educated myself and those around me about these videos!
@II-wx4kvIts an extremely powerful synthetic opioid, 100 times stronger than morphine. It is prescribed in micrograms because it is so powerful. In illicit form it’s even more dangerous because you never know how potent it is, in most cases it’s way more than any human being can handle.
Thank you so much for sharing your son's story. My heart goes out to you and your family. Thank you for what you are doing to raise awareness to this horrible epidemic
Wow. This father is, in my opinion, the model of how every father should strive to be. God bless him, his family, and anyone else that has an addiction or a family member that is struggling.
My son Richard was born in 1989 died by hanging in a residential facility in San Antonio Texas in 2006. Depression and a shi__y Dr. God bless you for telling his/your story. I hope he and Richard are friends in heaven. Richard was learning to play guitar. He was only 16.
Very sorry for your loss.
So sorry ❤
I hope so, too. Your son’s life matters also. 🫶🏼 I have battled with addiction and depression for much of my life. I am born in 1989 like Richard. I have been dealing with those thoughts. I have been sober since November 24, 2022. I can’t seem to break free from the depression and ocd thoughts. It would be nice to have parents in my life who valued me, they won’t tho no matter how amazing I am. ✌🏼🫶🏼
Addiction is bad enough. But treatment is inadequate. It’s a business to make money. Treatment is secondary.
It can take awhile to find the right therapist to help get through despair. Sadly some don’t make it through.
I hope you can remember and enjoy the good memories at times.
How can we help. In Atlanta, just lost our youngest son, Devran 26, while he was home for Christmas break from GSU 12-22-22. He was in recovery. 1 pill should not kill. A relapse should not equal death. It's almost been a year since his "murder". 1st birthday and Thanksgiving without him. Can't even think about his date of death or Christmas. I feel woefully unprepared. Wish I could be angry...but I just feel lost and forever beoken.
You can help by voting for politicians that can control our borders. In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 240,000 pounds1 of drugs at the southwest land border, which included an estimated 1.1 billion doses of fentanyl.The northern border is much better.
Very eloquently spoken. The way this man describe’s his son’s death is palpable. I’m so very sorry for your loss. What a gifted and beautiful young man. Such a shame he’s gone. 💙🙏🏻
My drew was an addict for 15 years and you are so right that they destroy everything in their path. He’s 3 years clean and alive. I don’t know how he’s alive though but very thankful! Your beautiful son fit a whole life into 20 odd years. Thank you for your honesty and testimony !
Thanks for sharing your story.My 🙏🏽🙏🏽 & condolences for you and the family to this tragic disease 😢
I’m happy you have your son 😊
This dad has a calling; he is a public speaker. He will make a difference. Wow, this was a powerful talk. ❤
Thank you for sharing Drew’s life with us. I admire how you speak of him . My sister overdosed in 2010 . Glad you have God to heal your heart
This was so important and I cannot express my sorrow and pride to this beautiful father. Thank you for sharing this. I was profoundly moved by this! ❤
Thank you for your comment.
We lost our son 23 years ago to his drug and alcohol addiction and 6 years ago to death. It’s a horrible experience for the addict and those who love them. I struggled as much with how he lived as how he died. The last couple of years were particularly sad because he knew the drugs had won and he spiraled down further than I ever thought possible. God bless your family.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Singer James Taylor who struggled for years with addiction said “ if you find ANY substance that you love so much…….RUN
Well done. Thank you for sharing your voice. Your project is SO valid.
MR. Swan im so terribly sorry for the loss of your son😢 im a recovering addict myself. Im 2yrs and 4days clean. Its an everyday battle at times. I keep myself strong by watching stories like this. Thank you for sharing your story!
I just buried my baby, my youngest daughter. Every word hit my soul😢
Sending ❤ and healing energy.
My most sincere condolences to you ❤ I cannot imagine what you are going through but I wish you peace
Wow! In early 2012, I was PRESCRIBED Fentanyl patches for pain management. Make no mistake this is a scary drug. It was scary helpful, first time since '91 that I knew what it was like to walk without wanting to collapse from pain but what it did to me psychologically is terrifying. I didn't see it it was my 15 year old son that grabbed me one day, my quiet calm boy that is so much like me, faced me looking straight into my eyes and said "Ma, what they have you on this time is really bad ma, I'm scared, you are not you! I ripped the patch off and never looked back, yes I'm in pain but I'm me!
@phoenixrising71715 I've been on pain meds since July 24, 2012. One of my Dr's in Arizona was involved in the Big Pharma scam, got kickbacks for over prescribing, and had me on 80mg Oxycontin 3 times a day and 30mg Oxycodone 5 times a day after he referred me to a surgeon who was in on it also. He fused my lumbar 2014 then did an ALIF surgery 2015, going in from the front, and tried putting a rubber disk between S1 - L5 but couldn't screw it in place. I was finally able to get a 2nd opinion January 2017 to find out I DID NOT even need surgery.
I can't describe the pain other than a 10 cm's and push contraction that started in my right foot increasing as it hit an unable to breathe pain in my right hip then it would lessen to a 10 as it went back down my leg. Minutes later back up my leg again. That happened 3 or 4 times a day for 2 years. Unbelievable!!!
When diagnosed with CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, January 2017, constant non stop burning pain, nerves on fire drilling into my bones. I thought Syndrome meant it was in my head. I started weaning myself off meds then.
I'm always in pain, on a low dose, especially compared to how much I was on, and I have tried everything to deal with the pain but I can't handle it. My blood pressure goes through the roof, I can't stand up, I can't get out of the severe pain no matter what they've done. When I had a CRPS flare longer than 2 weeks they'd sedate me to give me a pain break.
It's been a crazy 11 1/2 years!!!
Today I don't experience that level of pain and the longest I've gone without meds is 7 hours which is rare.
Dr's have no clue how to treat CRPS. It makes no sense and affects every part of the body, physically, cognitively, organs, etc. It's in the nerves and sends incorrect signals to the brain. Nicknamed the suicide disease.
Considering the level of pain and a long list of complications with unexplainable body functions and reactions to the weather for 1 example, I do okay. I'm exhausted.
I hate it but the meds I'm on are the only thing I don't have anaphylactic reactions to. I've only been able to handle it because I finally let God in and have a relationship with the Lord 🙏💗🙏 Best Friend I've always needed 24/7 since 2014. Going 54 years not knowing what love is was the worst!! I've never abused my meds, even forget to take them because I delay, distract, and do something different until I can't handle and look at my pain log to see it's been 5 hours. I'm always in pain and don't take meds until I can't handle it.
Can you share what you're pain is from and how you manage living in it?
I was also put on that patch from a pain clinic. Started at 25 than up to a hundred. I moved out of state and just got dropped off of it. That was the worst ever. The pain clinic wouldn't even answer the phone. Talk about pain. I couldn't even move and hurt to lay down for 4 months. I made it but will never touch that stuff again!!!! And your system gets use to it to fast
What a good son! What a good parent! Love to you both. ❤
@@KarynRay-ge7zg. When my doctor moved and I couldn’t find a prescriber, I used a friend’s patches. I didn’t know how dangerous that was!
Tell him you love him every time you speak.
Thank you for sharing Drew's story. Very touching. This message will help so many.
My brother died from an overdose at 36 in 2008. He was so funny, generous and the life of the party. He was never the same after prescribed pain killers after an auto accident. We're all left to mourn his loss
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for doing this great service
I cannot imagine the pain Drew’s father & family feels. I am watching this 2 days before my middle son’s 34th birthday, also born in 1989. I am going to be celebrating him even more this year, as I am incredibly blessed that all 3 of my boys never went down that path, although it was close for my oldest for a couple of years. It’s been by the Grace of God that I have been sober for almost 5 years, after I got addicted to pain pills after a neck surgery 15 years ago. I am so grateful I never turned to street drugs. They are so dangerous now. I am sending so much love & healing light to this man & the rest of this family. ❤✨
Linda, i DID go down that path. All the way to heroin, from some pain pills prescribed for a knee surgery. 13 years clean and boy arent we both glad considering the fentanyl deaths now?
This is heartbreaking. Glad yr kids have skated past.
Thank you for your comments. We also have a series of addiction recovery stories that you might find interesting. Here's a link to the playlist: From Addiction to Recovery - th-cam.com/play/PLdCPA32W_p39Z8hi7xSIX3Fkqmhd7mRzj.html
I have been clean 17 years after getting addicted to OxyContin a physician gave me for a fractured back when I was in my early 30s. I am grateful every day that I got help & by the grace of God & a 12 step fellowship, that I haven’t gone back down that path. Watching so many people die from fentanyl overdose is so heart wrenching.
Dear sir, eloquent, heartfelt, stirring, and your son's story will be a shining light to many! May the love of Jesus carry you day in, day out!
@@TexasPictures Thank you! I will check these stories out.
Dear Mr.Swan , Thank you for the most honest narrative and suggestion a real solution to this deadly plague . My condolences to the lost of your beautiful son. I was most impressed with this video because you did not sugarcoat your sons addiction as many do.The present drug culture has our children believing a pill is an acceptable solution to any discomfort one feels. Availability is scary easy as you mentioned "DoorDash". Thank you for your courage and work in combatting this plague . I can now quote the statistics of Covid and other deaths in comparison of Fentanyl. This war reminds me of the people who died in WW1 (all wars are losses ). 11-10 million people died . This includes civilians and military. A whole generation of our finest young men and women killed. It's happening again but within our country, our homes! Sincerely Lillian RN Galveston Texas
Thank you for your comments
I had to have a major surgery. And I had no clue that when I was discharged because I was still groggy, that my doctor had written my script for OxyContin and my husband had already filled it. And when we got home, I went straight to bed and slept for hours due to the effects of the anesthesia. When I woke, my husband gave me my pain medication. It was OxyContin. I was frightened because I had read articles about it. It was too late of course to change it because it was already filled. I was extremely cautious taking it. I would even break them in half. Long story short when my pain stopped and I quit taking them, I had severe anxiety and depression. This medication should be taken off the market. This channel is such a blessing for these parents! 🙏❤️❤️
OxyContin is not the problem, fentanyl is, the fake pills that all of these people are overdosing on isn’t even OxyContin, it’s a generic form of Oxycodone (generic for roxycodone). Regardless, fentanyl is the problem, not Oxycodone.
@@bbe3034 It isn't the medication that is the problem. It should absolutely not be the first step in treating pain, but for some people it is the only thing that works (cancer, severe inoperable chronic pain, etc). The regulations changed drastically in 2015 and people legitimately prescribed must try every other therapy and medication first. I lost my Dad to addiction so, I understand the heartbreak. I think we need to treat addiction with compassion rather than criminality.
"Covid" killed the old, but opioids kill people of all ages, and mostly 20-40, when they are the most productive.
You are so human and I am glad you are here to work on this issue this way. It has made me understand better why I volunteer on this topic. I knew nothing about it really but wanted to learn and I am sure others do too-
You are so brave and courageous to share all this! I hurt for Rico, Jack, Mom, new hubby, you! All of you! Sending you all ❤
He is so well spoken and he articulates grief really well too.
definitely i was shocked to hear this happened over 10 years ago he explained everything so vividly!
@@koko1144 yes!!
He's an educated , professional man. His pain is the same as yours.
Do you see how this problem touches people of all levels in society?
What a unique guy this is. So sorry about Drew. I lost my best friend 11/21/2015. It's been a terrible 10 years in America...
Not 10 years yet.
I'm sorry you're in the club of losing your bff. She was my other half & we had so many plans but she OD'ed in August of 2007. I'm still not over it.
@@CLL21i hear you. Its all i can do, but i hear you.
@@truthadvocacy America has been declining since Bush.
However, it all starts at home.
About 40…
So well spoken. I cry for Drew, I cry for you and your family. God Bless.
It´s so brave and generous from you to share your son´s story with us. God bless your family. I´m so sorry for your loss.
I admire this Father's strength.🙏
I don't ,Sons running the show insane 😮
@@maymalone1505 I agree. He seems so nonchalant and arrogant. I can see the son inherited more than the addiction gene from his father.
@@KathyJo.You’re incredibly judgemental and wrong. Drew’s dad doesn’t come across as “nonchalant” and “ arrogant”. He comes across as well rounded, eloquent and honest. You’re not a nice person. Shame on you.
@@FallenAngel9979 My Turn 😊 you are incredibly judgemental of me. I have every right to an opinion. It may be different than yours, but doesn’t make me wrong and definitely does not make me a bad person because I do not agree with you, but that does make you an incredibly intolerant person.