Youth Addiction and Mental Health Services
Donation protected
In 2017/2018, Isaiah Shepard, began walking a path that seemed like "normal" teenage behavior. He started smoking pot and occasionally drinking with his buddies. They were still typical teenage boys. They loved skateboarding and were passionate about graffiti. As the years progressed different drugs were added to the mix. Isaiah and his friends got in trouble with the law a few times, but nothing too serious.
I recall the countless hours of heart-to-heart conversations we had. The tears, the promises, the weeks of being grounded, the hundreds of dollars spent on counseling...
It was a slow progression, and yet as I sit here typing it feels like it happened overnight. One day my once sweet baby boy, a loving brother, quick-witted, compassionate, respectful, and a responsible young man lost sight of who he was. It wasn't until the summer of 2020 that his problem was undeniable. He asked for help...
I began my search. School Admin, Law enforcement, probation officers, judges, lawyers, counselors, psychiatrists, out of state treatment facilities (all of which cost my years salary for a 30-day program). No one could help. He was my responsibility. My "problem" to fix. Countless sleepless nights. Hours of phone calls. One brick wall after another. It wasn't until Isaiah turned 18 that doors finally opened. Unfortunately, by this point, he was suffering from drug-induced psychosis. He had mentally checked out of reality. I often told Isaiah, as long as there is still breath, there is hope.
On October 29, 2022, Fentanyl took Isaiah's final breath away, all hope that my son would make it to the other side of this darkness was gone.
What if I could have helped Isaiah sooner??
My son's story isn't unique. There are thousands of parents out there crying for help, help that just doesn't exist. This HAS to change. I refuse to allow Isaiah to be another number, another statistic. His death will not go in vain. Please help me bring awareness to the lack of drug addiction services offered to adolescents.
- Over 4,700 people aged 15-24 years old died of an overdose of illicit drugs.
- 11.2% of all overdose deaths are between the ages of 15-24 years old.
- More than 75,000 people have died from opioids in 2022 with Fentanyl being the leading cause.
- Over 107,000 people died of drug overdoses in 2021, with over 8,000 of those deaths being in the state of Florida.
- 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old met the criteria for drug use disorder within the last year.
My son is gone. I can't bring him back. But I refuse to allow this to be where his story ends. Together as a community, we CAN make a difference.
With the help of many friends and others who understand my pain, I have established a Non-Profit, Hope Above Fear. Your donation will go towards opening the doors to an inpatient rehab for adolescents ages 13- 17 years old. Our mission is to empower teens to rewrite their stories by replacing Fear with Hope.
You can check out the progress made on our Facebook page;
Hope Above Fear - Honoring Isaiah Shepard.
Thank you for your love and support.
#thisisnothowyourstoryends
#fentanylawareness
#breakthestigma
Organizer
Stephanie Shepard
Organizer
Pensacola, FL
