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Consequences

Author Abbey Zorzi playing basketball as a high school junior

Abbey Zorzi, 22

I used to picture an addict as someone under a bridge with a needle in his arm. The end of addiction might look that way, but it sure doesn’t begin like that. I never pictured myself as a drug addict until I became one as a teenager.

photo of overdose

Opioid Overdose Symptoms

Overdose symptoms can vary by the drug.

person laying on couch overdose

What Should You Do During a Drug Overdose?

If you suspect your teen has overdosed, getting medical attention can save his or her life!

Chelsea Heptig

Chelsea Marie Heptig, 17, Ecstasy

Ecstasy caused Chelsea to go unconscious and have powerful seizures. 

Jeremy Traylor

Jeremy Traylor, 18, OxyContin

Jeremy was 80 days sober before deciding to try OxyContin one more time.

Matthew McKinney

Matthew McKinney, 17, Heroin

Matthew was full of adventure, mischief and zest for life but things changed when he got addicted to drugs.

Cassie Haydal

Cassie Haydal, 18, Methamphetamine

Cassie was an honor roll student who was active in sports and volunteered at an after school program at her school. Her parents never suspected drug use until she suffered a heart attack from meth use.

Savage family

Nick and Jack Savage, Indiana, Oxycodone and Alcohol

Indiana parents lost two sons to drug overdose.

Rachel

Rachel Thraxton, Recovering Heroin Addict, Charleston, West Virginia

For years Rachel was addicted to alcohol, pills and heroin.  Find out what advice she offers to young people.

William Christian Doerhoff

William “Will” Christian Doerhoff, 20, Arkansas, Prescription Drugs and Heroin

William “Will” Christian Doerhoff, a top-notch student in high school, didn't touch drugs until college. That decision ended up costing him his life.

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