[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1686-E1688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE NATIONAL OPIOID EPIDEMIC

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANN M. KUSTER

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to include in the Record 
today the personal stories of families from across the country that 
have been affected by the opioid and heroin epidemic. In the U.S. we 
lose 129 lives per day to opioid and heroin overdose. In my home state 
of New Hampshire I have learned so many heartbreaking stories of great 
people and families who have suffered from the effects of substance use 
disorder.
  Earlier this year, my colleagues and I were joined by many of these 
courageous families who came to Washington to share their stories with 
Members of Congress and push for action that will prevent overdoses and 
save lives. Since then, we passed both the Comprehensive Addiction and 
Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act to provide much needed 
funding and critical policy changes to fight this epidemic.
  The advocacy of these families truly is so important to leading to 
change in Washington and I am proud to preserve their stories.


              John Michael Ahern--Rockport, Massachusetts

       John was born on September 30, 1969. He was the youngest of 
     three siblings, Kathryn, Charles, and Mary, and a father to 
     three beautiful boys, Johnny, Rian, and Connor.
       Growing up, John was a wonderful son--joyful, loving and 
     compassionate. At the age of 14, he began a transition that 
     would lead to a long, hard fought battle with addiction. Over 
     the years, John was treated at various rehabilitation clinics 
     across the country. He did his best to maintain his sobriety 
     and would do so for short periods of time, but the disease of 
     addiction was too strong for John.
       John was determined to overcome his struggles, fighting 
     fiercely and with all his strength. But in the end, on August 
     16, 2015, the disease of addiction proved too great for him 
     to overcome. John passed away unexpectedly from a heroin 
     overdose. He was 46 years old.
       ``I can't imagine his daily struggles and the hardships he 
     faced in his short life,'' writes his mother, Gail. ``It was 
     heartbreaking to see John's self-esteem diminish over time. 
     He had a difficulties maintaining employment and finding 
     stable living. Before his last and final attempt at recovery, 
     which so sadly failed, John was living in a homeless 
     shelter.''
       ``I loved my John. I know his life was bittersweet and his 
     struggles were so great. I believe some individuals are just 
     too fragile for this world, and I am so grateful to God that 
     he took John home at last. For I know in my heart he is now 
     joyous, at peace, and in the loving arms of our Lord. John's 
     struggle is over; he is now an angel.''


                       Andrew Angers--Saginaw, MI

       Andrew was born April 5, 1982, at 12:01 a.m. He was a 
     beautiful baby and had a star quality about him as a toddler. 
     Growing up, Andrew was a happy, healthy boy with a kind heart 
     and a brilliant smile. Then one day he was not so happy 
     anymore.
       As Andrew entered high school, he began to struggle with 
     personal demons. As a result, he experimented with drugs as a 
     way to cope with his emotions. Andrew was immediately taken 
     hostage by addiction and his battle progressed before he even 
     graduated. Andrew did manage to graduate, although a year 
     later than he should have. Regardless, it was a happy day for 
     him and his family.
       For the years following, Andrew's struggles with addiction 
     continued but at times it seemed he was gaining the upper 
     hand. Andrew entered college and even married his high school 
     sweetheart. Sadly, college went by the wayside and the 
     marriage failed. Even throughout all the hardships, Andrew 
     was still there--there were glimpses of the sweet, sensitive, 
     kind-hearted man he was.
       Andrew was a very talented musician and was often seen 
     walking around wearing a banjo. He had the most wonderful 
     smile and such a warm laugh. Andrew had hope right up until 
     the end. In a final phone call he spoke of his future and 
     being done with using. On June 18, 2009, Andrew was found 
     dead from an overdose. It truly was the day the music ended.


                 Nicholas Antich--Crown Point, Indiana

       The mother of Nick Antich wants people to know her family's 
     tragedy in order to bring light to a growing epidemic in the 
     United States. It's unfortunate that people are ashamed to 
     tell the stories of their loved ones who are battling drug 
     addiction. They worry that society will see those struggling 
     as second class, low-life individuals. As an emergency nurse, 
     Nick's mom has a job to help anyone who enters the ER.
       Nick's mother now has the perspective that if addiction can 
     happen to her son, it can happen to anyone. Addiction impacts 
     people who are educated; smart, charismatic and have the 
     world in the palm of their hand. Nick Antich was an top 
     student who didn't get into trouble at school and never 
     caused his father and mother much grief beyond the typical 
     teenage issues. Nick was raised in a normal family, played 
     baseball as a child and wrestled in middle school. He loved 
     animals and was known as the ``animal whisperer'' because on 
     several different occasions he saved kittens from the side of 
     busy highways where they had been dumped.
       When Nick was accepted into an Engineering program for 
     college, he moved to Indianapolis. During his Sophomore year 
     in college, Nick started dabbling in drugs. Nothing his 
     mother would consider hardcore, but never-the-less, drugs. 
     Nick was smart and knew the risks involved with drug use, so 
     his mother never imagined that anything serious was 
     happening. She certainly never prepared herself for the 
     journey her family was about to embark upon.
       One day, Nick called his mother to say he had been sick in 
     bed for three days. She knew in her gut that something was 
     not right. Nick had been sick a bunch of times since going 
     away to college, which is normally no big deal--take some 
     Tylenol and get rest--but this time felt different. She 
     called an ambulance and sent them to Nick's address. Two 
     hours later, Nick's mom arrived at the hospital where she 
     found her son curled up in a ball on a cot. Nothing had been 
     done. The hospital knew Nick was going through heroin 
     withdrawal but because of HIPAA they couldn't tell Nick's 
     mother what was happening. When Nick saw his mom, he held up 
     his arms and said, ``Mom, it's bad.'' She dropped to her 
     knees and her hell as a parent began. Within 24 hours, Nick 
     was on a plane to Arizona where he was admitted into 
     treatment for the next two months.
       Nick moved back home after treatment and within three 
     months his mother saw suspicious signs. She kicked him out of 
     her house. In September of 2014, Nick came and told her, 
     ``Mom, I'm using again.'' Within 24 hours, Nick was back on a 
     plane to Arizona for a second stint in treatment. This time 
     Nick was there for four months. He came home for Christmas of 
     2014, clean from Xanax and heroin.
       Nick got a job working for the state of Indiana and was 
     quickly promoted. However, Nick felt miserable inside and 
     nothing his mother did could fix Nick's loneliness. When Nick 
     was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, he faithfully took his 
     meds and followed up monthly with his doctor. He did not want 
     to be unhappy; he exercised, attempted a vegan diet and quit 
     smoking three months before he died.
       The week before Nick relapsed, he had to work long shifts 
     plowing during a snowstorm and was stressed and tired. 
     Sitting by himself plowing snow for 16 hours did something to 
     Nick; he got Xanax from a friend. When his mother found out, 
     Nick told her, ``Mom, I just wanted to take something to make 
     my miserable job tolerable . . . I would never use heroin 
     again.'' Unfortunately, Xanax was all it took to wake up the 
     devil within Nick that had been dormant for 18 months. His 
     mother was petrified that whole week, thinking here we go 
     again. On Friday, March 4th, Nick went to see friends in 
     Indianapolis for the weekend and had plans to stay with his 
     sister in Bloomington for the rest of that week. Nick's 
     parents flew out on Saturday for a week's vacation in 
     Arizona. On Sunday afternoon, March 6, 2016, Nick didn't wake 
     up.
       She hates drugs. They robbed Nick of his life, they robbed 
     her daughter of her only sibling, and they robbed his parents 
     of their only son. Over 450 people attended Nick's wake, 
     which was a testament to how loved he was: friends, family, 
     and teachers from elementary through high school came to 
     share that day with Nick's family. Nick didn't realize how 
     much love there was for him in this life.
       Despite the resources Nick's mother had access to as an 
     emergency room nurse, she could not save him. This is what 
     she has to learn to live with forever. Please don't hide 
     these stories anymore. Out of the 450 people who attended 
     Nick's service, at least a dozen said it happened to them 
     too.


                 Tommy Jacob Arnold--Decatur, Illinois

       The Arnold's youngest son, Tommy died of a heroin overdose 
     on June 25, 2016. His battle

[[Page E1687]]

     with addiction started when someone offered him heroin as an 
     alternative to dull the pain of a toothache. It instantly 
     grabbed control and robbed Tommy of everything--family, 
     friends, jobs, cars, a home--but most of all it robbed him of 
     his self respect.
       Growing up, Tommy was a typical all-American boy with hopes 
     and dreams. He loved music, movies, campfires with friends 
     and just being with those he loved. He was a shy, gentle 
     giant that was always kind and caring to everyone he met--he 
     would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. Tommy 
     lost it all to this horrible, ravaging drug.
       On the morning of June 25th this year, Tommy's family was 
     awoken by the coroner telling them that their son had 
     overdosed just a few hours earlier--and his body was awaiting 
     their funeral instructions at the morgue. No parent should 
     have to receive news like this. Tommy fought hard before 
     losing his battle with addiction. He was in recovery five 
     different times, but this last time he wasn't able to fight 
     his way back.
       ``30 days of treatment isn't enough to help those afflicted 
     successfully fight this battle,'' writes Tommy's mother, 
     Kathleen. ``Longer, progressive plans need to be developed to 
     stop this epidemic from taking the lives of our loved ones.''
       Although Tommy is in heaven now, pain-free, he leaves 
     behind parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, a brother and 
     sister, the love of his life, and his six year old son. His 
     family is all heart-broken.


                        Ronni Baker--Stow, Maine

       Ronni Baker was raised in a loving and stable environment 
     where her and her sister's needs were met. As a family, the 
     Bakers did many things together; they played outside, went 
     camping and fishing, and always had fun.
       Ronni's parents had good relationships with both of their 
     daughters and supported them in pursuing their interests. 
     Ronni loved trying new things. She joined the 4-H youth 
     organization at the age of ten and got her first horse when 
     she was 12. She was also a Girl Scout and participated in 
     Odyssey of the Mind creative challenges. Ronni was an avid 
     reader and loved trivia. She had a fondness for animals and 
     had a way with them. At 16, Ronni thought it would be fun to 
     enter a Miss Teen USA contest, so she did. In high school, 
     she was on the wrestling team.
       Ronni had strong political views and feelings about 
     equality--she often stuck up for the underdog. As a young 
     child, she spent a lot of time with her great-grandparents 
     and developed an affection for the elderly. After becoming a 
     certified nurse's aide, she started working in a local 
     nursing home--a place where she connected with and felt 
     protective of the residents.
       School came easy to Ronni and she never really had to work 
     that hard at it. Socially, she was bubbly, easy-going, and 
     funny. She had lots of friends. So why did Ronni, of all 
     kids, start using drugs? Why did she--of all people--die of a 
     drug overdose in the dawn of her life?
       Her family thinks it started innocently enough, with kids 
     experimenting with alcohol and/or maybe marijuana; just like 
     many teenagers do. But opiates changed the rules of the game. 
     These pills are now shared the way other substances were in 
     the past. With these powerful drugs, kids can't always move 
     on from their experimentation phase and grow up. They think 
     they are just having fun and are invincible, but no one is 
     invincible when it comes to opioid addiction, let alone a 
     young adult.
       Add to this experimentation, the fact that when Ronni was 
     in her late teens she started experiencing some back and leg 
     pain related to the demands of wrestling. Afterward, Ronni 
     was in a car accident and received prescription opioids for 
     her pain. Around the same time, she was diagnosed with 
     Attention Deficit Disorder; which had not been previously 
     identified as an issue due to her academic ability and 
     achievements.
       As parents, the Bakers thought that if they did mostly 
     everything right, then their children would be okay. They 
     thought that by living out in the sticks they were insulated 
     from some of the big-city problems that affect many young 
     individuals. Opioids are everywhere and opioid addiction lays 
     in wait for everyone.


               Frankie Prout--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

       On February 5, 2012, at 6:04 a.m. Frankie Prout, oldest of 
     four, was pronounced dead at the age of 20 while living in a 
     halfway house.
       Frankie grew up in Port Richmond in Philadelphia. As a 
     child, he was loved by everyone. Around the age of 18, 
     Frankie started to change. He wasn't acting like his normal 
     happy self and his mother knew something was wrong, but never 
     in a million years did she suspect he was developing a drug 
     addiction. It turns out Frankie was using Percocet prescribed 
     by a dentist. By the time his use had escalated to crushing 
     and snorting 30mg, he was stealing from and lying to his 
     family and friends. He eventually was incarcerated for 
     robbing a car. When he returned home from jail, he went right 
     back to abusing drugs. At this point, Frankie's family gave 
     him the option to get help or be homeless.
       When Frankie and his mother first went to a detox facility, 
     he was turned away for an expired ID. The second time, he was 
     turned away from the detox facility because he didn't have 
     enough drugs in his system. Frankie at this point was so sick 
     from withdrawal that he begged his mother to let him die. In 
     order to get enough drugs in his system to be admitted, his 
     mother had to purchase Percocet for him to use. Detox 
     accepted him that time and kept him for five days during 
     which he celebrated his 19th birthday. When the facility ran 
     out of beds, Frankie was released. He stayed clean for three 
     months before relapsing. Frankie's addiction got worse and 
     worse during his relapse. He desperately needed detox to get 
     clean again but he was turned away from the facility because 
     there were no beds.
       When Frankie finally was able to get into detox, again his 
     stay was only for five days. This time Frankie celebrated 
     Christmas there. When he was released, Frankie went to an 
     inpatient rehabilitation facility and seemed to be doing well 
     there. However, his insurance covering the treatment ran out 
     after 42 days.
       From the inpatient rehabilitation facility, Frankie to a 
     halfway house in the same neighborhood where he used to get 
     high. Frankie checked in on a Thursday afternoon and was out 
     on the streets within the hour--he didn't even get drug 
     tested. He was living with eleven heroin addicts, all of whom 
     were allowed to come and go as they pleased. On Saturday, 
     Frankie went to his mother's house for more clothes and 
     blankets. She was surprised to see him and asked why he 
     didn't have any restrictions. When he didn't answer, his 
     mother told him she was going to check out the halfway house 
     the very next day. Before leaving he said, ``I love you Mom. 
     See you tomorrow.'' Those were the last words she heard from 
     her son. Frankie died of an IV heroin overdose in the 
     bathroom of the halfway house where someone helped him get 
     high and left him to die.


           John Robert ``Bobby'' Baylis II--Roanoke, Virginia

       Bobby was the oldest of three siblings. He was a funny, 
     kind-hearted kid who played sports in high school. The summer 
     after his freshman year in college, Bobby had ACL surgery and 
     came home with a 90-day supply of OxyContin. That was the 
     summer Bobby became addicted to pain medication.
       During the following year, Bobby suffered from anxiety and 
     depression. He had trouble keeping up in his classes and 
     Bobby dropped out in the spring. Within six months of 
     returning home, Bobby had several run-ins with the police.
       Bobby's mom will never forget the moment when she realized 
     that her son was addicted to drugs. She was rustling through 
     his room and found a box in the back of his closet full of 
     childhood memorabilia. Wrapped up tight in Bobby's baby 
     blanket was a box of hypodermic needles. Having a son that 
     was addicted to drugs and in trouble with the law was 
     something Bobby's mom never expected would happen to her 
     family. Shortly thereafter, Bobby fell into a vicious cycle--
     moving between jail, treatment, recovery, and relapse. 
     Despite the fact that his mom kept trying to get Bobby the 
     treatment he so desperately he needed, she felt helpless. His 
     mom often thinks that if Bobby had access to better treatment 
     and if he hadn't been restricted to serve probation in 
     Roanoke (the town where all of his connections to drugs 
     were), Bobby would have been better poised to succeed in 
     recovery.
       Bobby's addiction was destroying his life and the lives of 
     his entire family. He had stolen his mother's credit cards, 
     pawned items from his family's home and put his mother into 
     financial debt. She laid awake at night worrying that a drug 
     dealer would come to their home and worried that she would 
     receive the call from the police saying that he had 
     overdosed.
       Bobby was convicted of possession and distribution charges. 
     He spent three years in a Federal Prison Camp. His mom was 
     grateful for this because at least Bobby was safe and drug-
     free for three years. At the Camp, Bobby received his 
     journeyman's license as an electrician, was certified in 
     heating and air conditioning, and cultivated his relationship 
     to his higher power. When his mom went to visit him, there 
     was light in his eyes, and for the first time in a long time 
     she did not see Bobby overtaken by addiction.
       When Bobby got out jail and came home, his mom felt like 
     she had Bobby back. He said, ``Mom, I have a second chance at 
     life.'' Bobby was lucky to get a great job despite his felony 
     record. He worked hard every day of the week; got up at 6 
     a.m., packed his lunch, and came home by 7 p.m. after a long 
     day's work. He was proud of his accomplishments and got a 
     promotion at work.
       Then Bobby let people from his past back into his life and 
     his addiction was triggered. In one weekend, Bobby relapsed 
     for the last time. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, he 
     overdosed from heroin laced with fentanyl. His mom found him 
     lying on the floor in his bedroom and the EMS couldn't revive 
     him. He died on June 6th, 2015 at the age of 28.
       After the shock of Bobby's death, his mom felt compelled to 
     speak out in order to change the stigma that surrounds this 
     disease. Since then, many people have told her their stories 
     about a family member who is struggling with addiction or has 
     died of it. These stories are not public knowledge. We need 
     to reach out to families who are struggling and grieving. We 
     need to replace judgement with respect and support. We need 
     to let them know they are not alone.


           Nicholas ``Nick'' Berger--Pottstown, Pennsylvania

       Nick was a really great guy and a wonderful son. He grew up 
     in an average middle-class home, surrounded by family and 
     pets who loved him dearly. He enjoyed many activities in high 
     school, including football, ROTC, agriculture, and animal 
     husbandry.

[[Page E1688]]

       From an early age, nature was Nick's solace. He enjoyed 
     camping, hunting and fishing. After graduating high school, 
     he worked as a hunting guide in Wyoming for a couple of 
     seasons tracking elk, mule deer, and antelope. During that 
     time, he hunted and fished in Alaska, British Columbia and 
     Canada. He encountered some challenges in the wild but he had 
     good survival skills and could think on his feet.
       Nick's father owned a construction business and when Nick 
     returned home he started working for his dad. Nick was a 
     natural and his father had hopes of passing his business on 
     to him someday.
       One day, Nick hurt his shoulder while playing a casual game 
     of football and eventually had to have surgery. During his 
     recovery, the doctor prescribed semi-synthetic opioids. After 
     completing the prescribed dose, Nick sought out supplemental 
     prescription medication on the street. When illegal 
     prescriptions became too costly, Nick turned to heroin.
       Nick kept his addiction hidden. His family and closest 
     friends remained clueless about his struggle. He was never in 
     trouble with the law and didn't miss work. Nick came home for 
     family meals and was rarely out late. He was always an honest 
     kid, so when Nick told his family something, they believed 
     him.
       Slowly, some of Nick's behaviors changed. He became moody. 
     He often asked for his paycheck early, kept coming down with 
     flu-like symptoms and started acting depressed. His family 
     didn't understand what was going on and when they asked, Nick 
     said he had a 24-hr bug.
       In retrospect, Nick's family thinks that his opioid drug 
     use went on for at least a couple of years undetected. 
     Eventually, the signs became too apparent and when his family 
     confronted Nick, he said he desperately wanted and welcomed 
     help. Nick told them, ``I have a serious drug problem and I 
     can't control it.''
       After a couple phone calls, Nick was placed in a local 30-
     day treatment program in December 2013. Nick's 30-day program 
     consisted of detox and 12-Step-based therapy. Nick was a good 
     student; he learned about his disease, engaged in discussions 
     with counselors and other residents, and helped others who 
     were also struggling with their addiction.
       During this time, his family explored more extensive 
     treatment and recovery programs. They wanted to provide Nick 
     with the best possible education and clean living environment 
     to help him turn his life around. Nick agreed to participate 
     in a 90-day inpatient private pay recovery house and was 
     transported to the facility upon completion of the 30-day 
     program.
       Nick also worked hard in the 90-day inpatient program and 
     was praised again by counselors. Eventually, he was given 
     some increased responsibilities that involved speaking with 
     and engaging other residents. He was given the opportunity to 
     speak at another facility and had been selected as an 
     interview candidate by CNBC for a segment they were 
     developing on opioid addiction and recovery houses. His 
     family was encouraged by his progress.When the day finally 
     came for Nick to return home, he was welcomed with open arms.
       After being home for just three weeks and one day, Nick's 
     disease fooled him into using--``just one more time.'' 
     Thinking they can use just once, or on occasion, without 
     having the same physical reaction as they did before is 
     common problem for people with a substance abuse disorder. 
     This warped misconception, accompanied by a completely clean 
     body, often leads to overdose or death. The body physically 
     cannot tolerate the same dosage the person was taking to get 
     high before getting clean.
       On Thursday evening, April 24, 2014, Nick was supposed to 
     go to an outpatient group and then a meeting. He came home 
     late--but, ``looked OK,'' according to his father. Nick 
     retired to his room and injected crushed Oxycodone before 
     going to bed. When he fell asleep his lungs stopped and his 
     body shut down. His parents found him dead the following 
     morning. Nick was 31.

                          ____________________