 |
| Escambia County lost another soul to a drug overdose late last week--this one a combat veteran. |
Every loss of a human life is a tragedy of immense proportions, every one of these individuals leaves behind friends, family, loved ones and most of all ---a host of unanswered questions and unimaginable grief.
This particular individual was a military veteran who struggled with substance abuse since serving in combat in the middle east and being injured there. He suffered, but he was working through the addiction; he was in programs to assist him in re-integrating back into work and away from the drugs and the criminal justice system.
But the addiction was simply too strong, it appears.
Because sadly, after an acquaintance failed to hear from him for several days--worry began to mount.
No contact for several days via cellphone, no returned text messages.
So on Thursday of last week concerned friends entered his apartment with the assistance of the property manager.
And sadly, this individual was found dead of an apparent drug overdose. It appears he had been dead for a number of days.
Was it fentanly mixed with Heroin? Something else?
No one knows-- and an investigation will have to determine exactly what it was that took his life.
But this is an epidemic in our community, and this individual is yet another example of this.
When will we overcome our addictions to these illegal drugs in the United States of America and right here in Pensacola Florida?
Or more importantly-- can we and will we?
(There are things everyday citizens can do to help curb the overdose increases we see locally. If you know someone who struggles with addiction and who uses drugs, you can save them from an overdose if you have NARCAN. Learn about NARCAN, how it can save lives, and how you can get NARCAN FREE right here in Pensacola, by visiting this website.)
