Addict, Mother Help Fight the Drug Overdose Epidemic

DAYTON -- New numbers out Tuesday paint a dismal picture of how things are going in Montgomery County when it comes to the opiate epidemic.
The numbers are grim, and a room full of people on a task force committed to fighting the opiate epidemic heard the ugly reality.
"Unfortunately we had frightening news again today in that we set another record with regard to drug overdose deaths in Montgomery County," said Jim Gross, the Health Commissioner of Public Health Dayton Montgomery County.
In 2013, the number of unintentional drug overdose deaths jumped to 226 from 162 the previous year. Of those, 132 were accidental heroin overdose deaths when compared to 95 in 2012. Overall, that is nearly a 40% increase.
"This isn't a situation that one individual or one organization can solve. It really is going to take all of us to really get involved and implement a variety of different interventions to really make a difference," Gross explained.
That is what Lori Erion is trying to do: make a difference. Her daughter April is a heroin addict.
"If I overdosed and died tomorrow nobody would be surprised," said the 20-year-old, who is still using.
"I'm trying to not. I'm back at home... trying... it's hard. I think they need better de-tox programs, they need better programs in general."
Her mother, Lori, launched a support group called "Families of Addicts." She is also pushing to get more comprehensive and better treatment for people like her daughter.
"When they're ready, it would be nice to have somewhere for them to go then. Instead of having to wait a month, be on a waiting list trying to suffer through," Lori Erion explained. She is hoping to start a movement by focusing on the stories of recovering addicts.
"Once they start hearing that people do have success, and they have a good story, and that you can have that, too... I really do think it's going to change the perception and the recovery rate. That's my vision," Lori said.
April added, "We can only hope."
With the support of the Montgomery County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, Lori Erion's group, Families of Addicts, is hosting a documentary called "The Anonymous People" that profiles some of the success stories. It's happening Tuesday, July 15th at 6 PM in downtown Dayton at the Neon Theater. Click here for tickets.