On Feb. 11, 2011, I lost my only child, my son Andy, to a heroin overdose. He was a straight A student, gifted violinist, an exchange student in France, athletic, and was loved by a large circle of friends and his parents. He was just an all-around good kid and the light of our life. Truly a good kid who got into something bad that he couldn’t get out of.
My life was shattered. My reason for living was suddenly and unexpectedly gone. It took me years to recover, and I will never be the same. I will never see my son find the love of his life, and never have grandchildren. For that I am so sad. But I am equally grateful for the 22 beautiful years I got to spend with him.I am a middle-class career, divorced woman. I live in the city of Raleigh, NC, in a middle-class neighborhood, in a nice home, and have a good job. Since my son’s death I am determined to make sure another parent doesn’t have to go through what I have. I want to educate the masses to the fact that this IS an epidemic and it CAN happen to anyone. Resources are scarce for help unless you have money to pay for rehab and I’m very concerned about the uninsured. I am very active in the addiction and recovery community now. I have done work with Heroes in Recovery, the Governor’s Institute, which was featured in the book “The Passion Conversation,” and am Vice Chair of the Raleigh Substance Abuse Advisory Committee. I also did an interview with the Town of Cary, NC, (suburb of Raleigh) that was posted on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TownofCaryNC/videos/1754335291321180/. I want to help any way I can. I want my son’s legacy to be one of helping save others through me.
Story by Pam Katchuk
2 replies on “Andy Katchuk”
We need more Heros like you. I live in Aiken SC my daughter lost her life July 17 2017 I still cant breath the night terrors are simply part of my life. It dosen’t get better when its ur child I put one foot in front of the other smile and stopped boring people with my grief as each one decided when I should GET PAST IT. I was never able to find 1 support group that welcomed me. Not 1. Seems if your child ur baby dies from fentanyl bc she thought it was her drug of choice heroin..you are not in their club. Addicts make choices. How did u think it would end….she struggled with a disease and what did I think for my baby the next rehab will stick she will come out the otherside of this and raise her 4 children…oh my. I’m so sorry I just kept going. I’m glad u want change I do as well.
I am so sorry you cannot find a support group. Look to see if there is a GRASP group in SC or explore Shatterproof. They both are doing terrific jobs helping families like us. I belong to GRASP and it is for people who have lost a loved one to OUD. Shatterproof is a more general group that deals with many aspects of SUD. You can talk freely and people will listen.