Addiction has dulled too many lights
Addiction has robbed too many people of their potential too soon.
Growing up in the shadow of someone as smart as my brother was always a little intimidating but inspiring. School always came so easy to him, and with a near perfect SAT score so did his choice of college.
Unfortunately, some people who don’t have to work very hard to be smart may look elsewhere for a challenge. In my brother’s case, that was eventually substance use.
I lost my brother to an overdose in December 2004, when he was just 22. I was a freshman in college. My family was turned upside down. As such, I’m most familiar with the impact that loss from addiction has on families and how grief wears different faces.
Addiction has dulled too many lights, robbed too many people of their potential too soon, and ravaged too many families in the United States with financial strain, grief and sadness.
The resources and support provided through the Partnership and other organizations like it are therefore invaluable. They help bring us all together with different perspectives of awareness, compassion, connection and response. I pray that the accessibility of resources compiled by the Partnership provide guidance, education and comfort to those struggling and give families and friends the resources to feel like they are not alone.
Katelyn is running the 2024 United NYC Half Marathon in support of Partnership to End Addiction. To make a contribution to her fundraiser, click here.
