I’ve seen a couple of posts or comments on FB from people talking negatively about addicts or addiction. Some thinking that an addict is worthless or less than everyone else. Let me assure you, that addict is everything to someone.
Marianne Skolek Perez, Investigative Reporter
(MYRTLE BEACH) All day — every day so many of these faces come over to me. We are losing a generation of beautiful, young people. Do you think it is time to stop idolizing the “wannabe rock star advocates” and work on prevention, education and treatment like your child’s life depends on it? Can a focus be put on “harm elimination” rather than “harm reduction?”
Can the word “stigma” be unspoken and the word “outrage” be shouted that financial profit has overtaken saving human life?
The below powerfully written piece by a mom was sent to me last week and I received permission to have it published. It speaks to every parent who has lost a loved one to the opioid/heroin epidemic, or is fighting for the life of a loved one, and is appropriately entitled “Someone’s Child.”
Angela Jackson to Someone’s Child
I’ve seen a couple of posts or comments on FB from people talking negatively about addicts or addiction. Some thinking that an addict is worthless or less than everyone else. Let me assure you, that addict is everything to someone.
My addict weighed 8 lbs 14 oz and was born at 1:05 pm on February 1st, 1994.
My addict was so beautiful from the day she was born. Her entire life she was complimented on her beauty by strangers and those who knew her. She was not only beautiful on the outside but she was more beautiful in the inside.
My addict, from the time she was little, had the biggest heart and wanted to help others. She was so excited in the 5th grade when she was chosen for Safety Patrol.
My addict always got ice cream cakes for her birthday because she didn’t like regular birthday cake.
My addict loved cookies and cream pop tarts.
My addict loved the ocean. Her name, Marissa, means Goddess of the Sea. She always told me, “Mama if I ever become rich, I’m gonna buy you a huge pink beach house right at the shore.”
My addict loved to fish. Her first time really fishing in the ocean, going out on the head boat, she was so excited. Ironically the vessel we were getting on was named the “Miss Marissa”, totally was not planned. She caught a shark that day and kissed it on the nose before releasing it.
My addict was a country girl at heart. Growing up, she loved big trucks, going camping, swinging off of a rope swing into the Cape Fear River just for fun. Her favorite outfit consisted of jean’s and a camo shirt.
My addict loved the colors purple and hot pink, and she loved zebra print.
My addict always would root for the underdog. She was friendly to everyone, and would go out her way to make someone feel included.
My addict loved her Carolina Tarheels. She was a Tarheel through and through. We used to joke about bleeding Carolina blue!!
My addict loved God and was taught all of her life by her Nanny not to veer too far from Him.
My addict gave me a beautiful grandson Xander. She loved that little boy so much. She told me once that he was the best thing she had ever done.
My addict loved her family. She was a Mama’s girl and her entire life always tried to do things for me just to be sweet and helpful. Her brother annoyed the hell out of her and they fought all the time, but nobody else better mess with him.
My addict loved her friends and she had so many of them. She was loved by so many. She touched so many lives.
My addict loved to write. She often put her feelings on paper. She loved to doodle too, writing her name on everything.
My addict loved to cook, and she was pretty good at it.
My addict had a smile that would light up a room, and her laughter was contagious.
My addict was not perfect. She made some bad choices, like all of us have. Her bad choices ultimately cost her her life.
My addict had to have her Mama hug her one of the last times through a body bag.
My addict was so much more than her addiction or her bad choices. Think of that one thing in your life that you’ve done that you’re ashamed of, that you don’t want anyone to know about. Is that the one thing you would want everyone to judge you on?
My addict in the end was given back to me in a bag that weighed 4 lbs 9 oz, and now I sometimes rock a bag of ashes.
So next time one of you see someone who struggles with addiction and begin to think negatively about them, know that they are much more than just an addict. Know that those are the ones that need the most love not the most judgment. Know that that person is someone’s loved one, someone’s world, someone’s everything, and you should thank God that it’s not yours, because addiction doesn’t discriminate, it doesn’t know color, race, social, or financial status.
Forever Broken,
Marissa’s Mama
Marianne Skolek Perez
Consultant to attorneys on opioid lawsuits filed throughout the country
Investigative Reporter covering the opioid epidemic writing for
Global News Centre, Salem-News.com, Sons of Liberty Media, The Washington Standard and Freedom Outpost
https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Skolek%20Testimony%20073107.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPG1VjD61U&list=UUWoHUEr4ZAbQOfIqtOArjgg&index=6&feature=plcp
908-285-1232 - cell
Global News Centre’s Marianne Skolek, is an Investigative Reporter who focuses on the Prescription Opioid/Heroin Epidemic in the U.S. and Canada. In particular, Marianne has covered the criminal marketing of OxyContin going back to 1999 and continuing to the present.
In 2002, Marianne lost her daughter, Jill to prescribed OxyContin which her physician referred to as “mobility in a bottle.” It was, in fact, death in a bottle. After doing extensive research on the maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, Marianne began working with the Department of Justice in Virginia in their criminal investigation into Purdue Pharma and in July 2007 was asked by the U.S. Attorney John Brownlee prosecuting the case to testify against the three CEO’s of Purdue Pharma, Michael Friedman, Paul Goldenheim, MD and Howard Udell, Chief Counsel. The CEO’s pleaded guilty to misleading the medical profession about the dangers of OxyContin. Marianne also testified against Purdue Pharma at a Judiciary Hearing of the U.S. Senate in July 2007.
In addition, a dangerous and highly addictive opioid named Zohydro has been approved by the FDA against their Advisory Committee’s advice and Marianne continues to alert Attorneys General, Senators and Congressmen as to the FDA’s irresponsibility in the out of control prescription opioid/heroin epidemic killing and addicting in the tens of thousands each year. Zohydro has been referred to as “heroin in a capsule” and its lowest dosage (10mg) contains twice as much hydrocodone as found in a Vicodin pill. The highest single dose of Zohydro contains as much hydrocodone as 5 to 10 tablets of Vicodin or Lortab. Zohydro mixed with alcohol can be fatal and has no abuse deterrent built in which will make it easy to crush and deliver a fatal dose of the opioid.
Currently Marianne has been instrumental in calling for the termination of Margaret Hamburg, MD, Commissioner of the FDA as well as Bob A. Rappaport, MD and Douglas Throckmorton, MD for their lack of commitment to safeguarding the American public against the prescription opioid/heroin epidemic. Marianne’s research, writing and contact with government agencies and attorneys has also exposed the heavily funded pain foundations set up by the pharmaceutical industry and their paid physician spokespersons who convinced the medical boards in 50 states and Canada that dangerous opioids such as OxyContin were less likely to be addictive. These physicians — in particular Scott Fishman, MD, J. David Haddox, DDS, MD, Perry Fine, MD, Lynn R. Webster, MD, Russell Portenoy, MD also downplayed the risks of addictive opioids in books as authors. These books are still available for sale and promoted to the medical profession.
Here are links to Marianne’s involvement in exposing the national conspiracy of the prescription opioid/heroin epidemic, the FDA, the pharmaceutical industry, their pain foundations and paid physician spokespersons.
http://www.salem-news.com/by_author.php?reporter=Marianne%20Skolek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPG1VjD61U&list=UUWoHUEr4ZAbQOfIqtOArjgg&index=6&feature=plcp
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=855537227796352&set=vb.658186307531446&type=2&theater
