Florida Mom Shares Son's Overdose Story to Raise Drug Awareness

Drew's Story and Overdose Awareness

• 💔 Drew Karathanis, an 18-year-old, tragically died from an overdose of prescription anti-depressants nearly 10 years ago.
• 💡 His mother, Tracy, continues to share his story to raise awareness, particularly around National Drug Takeback Day.
• 🏒 Drew was described as a conscientious student, a dedicated athlete, and a loving son and friend.

Signs and Substance Experimentation

• ⚠️ Tracy noticed a change in Drew during his junior year of high school, discovering he was experimenting with various drugs.
• 💊 She found pills in his room, including Adderall, sleeping pills, and cold medicine, some of which were not prescribed to him.
• 🔒 Despite keeping his prescribed anti-depressant locked away, Drew managed to obtain other pills.

The Tragic Loss and its Aftermath

• 😔 Drew's twin brother discovered his body by the train tracks in their neighborhood after he went for a walk and never returned.
• 💔 The circumstances of how Drew obtained the additional pills remain unknown to his mother.

The Importance of Safe Medication Disposal

• ♻️ The DEA collected over 600,000 pounds of pills at a recent drug takeback event, highlighting the scale of unused medications.
• 🚫 Authorities emphasize that safe disposal of unused medications can prevent devastating outcomes.
• 🌊 Flushing pills can lead to them ending up in waterways, making drop-off sites the preferred method for disposal.

Parental Guidance and Support

• 💬 Tracy advises parents to talk to their children if they suspect something is wrong, encouraging understanding over anger.
• 🙏 She hopes her advocacy will prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies related to addiction and overdose.