The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

Our son Stephen John struggled with an addiction to opioids. We were not aware of his addiction until the last two years of his life. Stephen John tried hard to break away from his addiction and was doing great until he went back to California where he had a relapse. This happened in November 2015. Our son was working at a very good company and doing well until this trip happened. On February 4th, he was found deceased in a hotel room in our hometown. He was not found until the next day. Our hearts are shattered over his loss. We know that we will see him again one day. Our God is our strength and our salvation, and we have found strength and comfort in Him and all our family and friends who have supported us every step of the way. We love our son and will never stop loving him as long as we live.

Christopher was a singer, songwriter, graphic artist, and a complicated person. He loved family and traditions. He was easily upset and suffered from depression and anxiety. He was a great help to many friends who struggled with the same things but had difficulty controlling his own. He didn't realize what an amazing person he was. He was an adorable little boy who sang and acted in community theatre shows and did well in school. The third of three boys, he was my baby!
As an adult, Chris wanted to make an impact in the music world. He was in several bands as the lead singer songwriter and enjoyed moderate success. He taught himself to play guitar, harmonica, piano, and immersed himself in music. It was his passion. He was also a successful graphic artist who had a great gift for design. His addiction to heroin made his success fleeting. He struggled long and hard with it. Whenever he would slip back he would immediately seek help but he would always slip back. He hated that and sometimes hated himself for it and it made him difficult to understand.
He had a wicked sense of humor, dry and sometime cynical but whatever he said was accompanied by a sly smile that made you laugh. He had beautiful blue eyes and his last song he wrote was "Blue Eyed Sun" with a play on the words sun and son.
He was loving and sometimes too loving which made him hurt when others didn't love him back in the same way. He gave the most creative well thought out gifts to people. He saved and chronicled a lot of the family memories even secretly recording the entire family singing Christmas songs one year and then giving them out as Christmas gifts the next. I miss him more than I can possibly say.

Our son was a beautiful person, inside and out. He was sensitive and loving and never wanted us to know he struggled with addiction. Once we found out, he received treatment and, naively and desperately, we believed all was going to be okay. There was so much we didn't know about this disease. He was so strong and determined in everything else he did that we just assumed his desire to be rid of his addiction would be all it would take for him to succeed. How I wish I could go back and do everything over. How I wish I had known that he was struggling the last time I saw him. We miss him every single moment of every single day.

My son was 36 when he took his life. He had struggled in the past with addiction but he was sober. Clint was an active, loving little boy. He was kind and helpful to all. He loved his boys fiercely. He loved me, Mom. I can still hear him saying Hey Mom. Losing him has completely destroyed me. Fly high Clint. You are deeply missed.

Jordan is the third of three brothers. Even in the womb, Jordan was bursting with energy. When I was pregnant and taught VBS at church, the other teachers fought to sit next to me in worship to feel him kicking and dancing in my belly. Keeping Jordan safe was a huge concern. He seemed to have no fears and lived life to the fullest. He never met a stranger and loved everyone he met. He was kind and compassionate as a child, always concerned about others’ feelings. I did not know that Jordan started experimenting with marijuana at a young age. After that, it seemed he was fearless when it came to using. We tried everything we could think of to intervene and help him. Nothing we tried worked. Despite his battle with addiction, God blesses us with many good times and many memories with Jordan. Jordan knew God and he knew Jesus as his Savior. He knew what God wanted him to do, he just did not think he had the power to do so. Jordan’s Dad and I want to honor Jordan’s life by doing what we can to help those struggling like he did. In whatever capacity God calls us to accomplish that. When we see someone with an addiction, we see our precious son. Jordan was precious, his life had meaning and he will be missed every moment that we continue to live.

He was the light of so many lives. He was always making everyone laugh, no matter your mood. He always knew how to make you feel better. No day is easy without him, but everyday we do it. #LongLivePalmer #beataddiction & #fightyourfight

Anthony was a happy go lucky child. He was very smart, he was in the advanced classes starting in 3rd grade. In middle school he started going to “Pharm parties.” I knew something was wrong for years. Finally his senior year (7 years ago 12/16/11) I started to force the issue of help. At the time, I thought his problem was alcohol (it was pills). He went in for his first inpatient visit. He came out and moved away for 10 months. He moved home in February of 2013. In this time, he starts using heroin. We are told a friends uncle gave five kids heroin in pill form without telling them what it is. We don’t find out for 2 more years (2/15) even though all of the signs are there. He finally tells his cousin he wants to die and why. His cousin takes him to the college campus clinic and they call me and we and go get him. We still don’t know what is going on. He is so depressed and crying and wanting me to hold him on the ride home. My heart was breaking and I was so scared. We take him to the hospital and they admit him. He still didn’t tell us. My nephew told me on the phone a few days later. Anthony was so embarrassed he couldn’t tell us. I couldn’t believe it either. How could one of my perfect children be addicted to heroin?

Anyway, we were fighting for Anthony's life at this point. He was already injecting. We sent him to many rehabs. He was out in Southern California. Every time he relapsed he was living on the streets. We had to go out and look for him when one of his best friends OD’d back home. I cried and begged him to stop using. I told him it was going to take him from me, I felt it in my heart. He promised me it wouldn’t. I cried and told him that wasn’t a promise he could keep. At the end we tried to keep him closer to home. I was terrified of something happening to him and us never finding him.

He passed away all alone in his car from a fentanyl overdose. We got the call within two hours.

He was so special to our family. He is still so loved and missed by many. I will never be the same person I was a few years ago.

They were both brothers. Christopher pictured in the photo wearing the hat was born October 7, 1982 and died Nov 28, 2018. They were both handsome, both had a heart of gold. Growing up they loved sports, and both were involved in baseball, soccer, and basketball. Both excelled in baseball as pitchers and were known around the field as the Bisbee brothers. Loved watching sports on TV, especially the patriots. They were both very loved and they are missed greatly.

He was 22 years old, and leaves behind 3 siblings: Isis 5, Phoenix 3, and Atlas 1. He is at peace now and walks beside me with his finally unfurled. I love you Sweetpea. Mama misses you.

Kayden was a happy baby. He was born as Hale-Bopp passed by Earth. He was quick to walk, run, jump, and climb. He was fearless about most things. Except spiders. Deathly afraid of those and would run screaming to the forest highest point to evade them.
He loved to make people laugh, smile, and feel good inside. Many of his peers came to him for advice and to have a good time. Kayden valued loyalty, family, and friendship above all else. He was known to give his clothes, food, and last dollar to someone in need.
Kayden also struggled with suicidal thoughts, depression, and addiction. At the time of his death, he was convinced he was never going to get sober. The weight of it, and the stresses in his life, led him to a place with one exit. I talked to him for 17 minutes the day he shot himself. He poured out his heart, his wounds, his grief, his anger, and his shame. I told him I would hold him through it all. I promised he would come out the other side. I told him I loved him just as much as his much younger siblings. He said that was all he needed to know. I felt him walking a tightrope inside. I didn't he had a loaded gun in his hand. I would never of hung up. I was 5 minutes away. The shot rang out as I arrived. He never came down from his apartment to give me that hug he had promised. We were supposed to celebrate his little brother's first birthday that Sunday. Now every Sunday has a little stain. The 19th day of each month has one too.
I can feel him with me now though. He is so full of light. He loves us. We miss him so much. His goofy laugh and sense of humor. The way he contorted his face to make us laugh. The way he wrapped himself around the Little's and slept so content.
You left a profoundly deep hole in the lives of everyone that knew you, Kayden.
You are loved.
I love you.

Justin suffered from addiction in secret. He was ashamed, he never stole, he worked to provide for his addiction so his parents would not know. We missed all signs. He hid his addiction until he realized he needed help and with help from me, mom, he checked himself into a rehab in Florida. He completed two years sober and found his dream job, moved on his own and when he slipped due to a hand injury, he started using. He was expecting heroin and given 100% Carfentanil. A chemical weapon that has no purpose in the human body. It was used in the 2002 Russian hostage situation.
After Justin passed, 5/27/17, I was collecting and picking up his things and the PD gave me his phone and within five minutes, I walked back in with info on the deal. Justin's last conversation. They downloaded the phone sent it back to me and sent the info to West Palm Narcotics. A month and a half later when nothing had been done, I put a text blocker on my own phone, in CT, and texted the dealer. He responded and we set up a deal. I screen shot all the info for WPBPD Narcotics and within 24 hours they had him arrested. They messed up the case and a year later the dealer was sentenced to five years probation. Keep in mind when they caught him he had 100% Carfentanil on his persons. Follow @howicaughtmysonsdealer on FB for my story of how things played out. RIP Justin, my sweet boy, forever 22.

Drug addiction or any addiction affects everyone, not just the person with the addiction.
Loved ones live in constant fear of getting that “dreaded phone call.”
Never give up on someone suffering from addiction and most of all, tell them that you love them every chance that you get.
I miss my brother each and every day. He died Valentine’s Day 2001. Gone too soon.
Thank you Shatterproof for all that you are doing to spread awareness and to save lives.

Jonathan struggled with addiction most of his adult life. He had one strike against him genetically, both sides had alcohol addiction. He went from alcohol and marijuana to perocet after being prescribed by an emergency room doctor. I also know he suffered from depression and used the drugs to mask emotional pain. Just like so many parents, I pleaded for him to get help. He had been petitioned by his sister when she found him passed out in our home. The facility did not even keep him for a full 24 hour evaluation. Two years ago he went to detox and rehab, but he got kicked out because on a day pass he relapsed. We live in AZ, and he decide to move back to his hometown in NH. Jonathan was like a cat with nine lives, who always seemed to land on his feet. He was working full time, met a young woman he loved, and seemed hopeful. Even though he was employed he couldn’t afford health insurance. He had some decayed teeth and called asking for help. His appointment was scheduled for Nov. 20th. He died Nov. 18th from what is called a test shot of heroin? The ME report is still pending. My heart broke into pieces when I found out, and I will miss his smile and hearing him say “Mom I love you”.

My family had no idea my brother was addicted to heroin until a girlfriend of his at the time told my parents. Everyone was in complete shock and had no idea the extent of the addiction. Our family had never dealt with anything like this before so we were unaware of the signs. My brother was in and out of rehab for many years but nothing was permanent. Watching someone you love suffer with this kind of addiction is unbearable. New York state rehabs facilities were little to no help and in patient rehab was never offered even after multiple overdoses. The only rehabs available that have been proven to work are in the $20-$30 thousand dollar range. Not sure how many families can actually afford that kind of rehab but ours could not. My brother lost his battle with opioids in May of this year. If there is a way that sharing his story will help someone else I want to do that. I found Shatterproof through my company and was happy to see that there are people out there trying to improve these types of situations.

James was full of life. Living life large in the fast lane. He loved sports, most of all moto-cross. He was a father to 3 beautiful children. James was involved in a motorcycle accident, and the doctor prescribed him OxyContin. He soon became addicted and turned to heroin ... his worst nightmare. It took over his mind, body, and soul. He went into several rehabs and relapsed over and over (a symptom of the disease). He was on the Vivitrol shot which seemed to really help, but it wore off in 25 days and couldn't get the shot until day 30... He relapsed within that 5 day period. James was poisoned with fentanyl and became unconscious at the wheel and smashed into an abandoned house. His truck and house caught on fire! His 10-year-old son was in the back seat who miraculously survived by jumping out and running out of the burning flames. Thanks be to GOD. Addiction is a family disease Affecting everyone. There is not a day that goes by that we don't think about him. We miss him more each day. Our faith in God has given us strength and support to get us through this horrific tragedy. We will never give up the fight! We never gave up on James. Knowing we will see him in Heaven gives us peace.

Catherine was an incredible highly intelligent human. She struggled with mental health and ultimately substance use. Catherine overdosed on 11-19-17, just shy of her 25th birthday. Catherine is survived by her mother, father, 3 brothers, sister, and two beautiful children. Catherine loved her children more than life itself and continued to fight for her sobriety until the end. Gone too soon, but free forever from her pain.