Would you go public about your child's death from drugs? (accident, son)

[purehuman]

Originally Posted by bande1102

No, I would not want my child's life defined by his or her death.

My childs life would not be defined by his or her death if I shared that info with others..

Maybe the death, but not their life....by far.........but if it could make someone think twice about the dangers of overdoses it would be a good thing, and something I'd like to think my child would approve of.

[Zimbochick]

I admire them greatly for sharing their story in the hopes of preventing this plague.


My high school freshman had a speaker this year, a young man who killed 2 friends while DUI aged 18. He had turned his life around and was working very hard to spread his message to other kids. Last month he was found dead of a drug overdose. I'd say do whatever it takes to deal with this scourge.

[cpg35223]

I'm not sure I could get about for months, let alone basically coming up with a public service announcement.

That being said, I would have to think very long and hard about making my child's death the fodder for gossip by voyeurs.

[scatman]

The deaths of the sons of both Harry Reid and the late Carroll O'Connor were very public! I cannot imagine what a parent goes through in that situation....!

[stellastar2345]

this reminds me of a comic strip I read once.

it went something like this:

we applaud people who went through AA/rehab/etc for being sober for x amount of days.

People who have never taken drugs, never been an alcoholic, etc...no applause for that.


But in general, we expect a lot out of normal people, while giving rift raft a ton of second chances.

[manhattangirl]

I think that the parents have to decide along with any siblings who remain. If it is not too hard for the family, it is better to share the information because people will use this as a lesson.

When you counsel people about safety it often means very little unless someone they know has had a problem. They have to see it to believe it for some reason. If a younger sibling or cousin or neighbor will choose a different path because of your poor son's death, then it may be worth telling.

You may also consider telling selected people. For example, you may feel comfortable sharing with your husband's sisters who live across the country but not with your own aunt who lives in the neighborhood. Yes, people will talk but you may be able to limit the ones who know all the details.

I am sorry for your loss. I wish you strength.

[~HecateWhisperCat~]

Maybe, depends on what I hoped to accomplish.

[Zimbochick]

Originally Posted by stellastar2345

this reminds me of a comic strip I read once.

it went something like this:

we applaud people who went through AA/rehab/etc for being sober for x amount of days.

People who have never taken drugs, never been an alcoholic, etc...no applause for that.


But in general, we expect a lot out of normal people, while giving rift raft a ton of second chances.

Comic strip? Doubtful. It's not about second chances it's about supporting people who are choosing to make positive changes.


And it's riffraff or riff-raff.

[scatman]

Originally Posted by scatman

The deaths of the sons of both Harry Reid and the late Carroll O'Connor were very public! I cannot imagine what a parent goes through in that situation....!

Whoops, I meant Andy Reid!

[zentropa]

Yes, I would.

I lost a child to suicide and we have chosen to talk openly about it with the hope that other young people's lives will be saved. And I know for a fact that they have been.