Well the results are back

Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive January 2004: Well the results are back

from my DSS autopsy who passed away on December 13 at the age of 18. We knew he died of a overdose. Where do I begin....
We knew he died of a over dose of morphine...the new things with kids these days, that the police are telling us is the use of morphine patches. They are buying the patches and putting them on. But the big thing they are doing is also chewing the patches. For a better high I guess. What kind of high from morphine I can't imagine...its a pain reliever.
They are chewing the 25 mg for a better high. My DSS got a hold of a 50mg patch and chewed that and it proved to be fatal.
Why he did it, we don't know...how long he has been doing it, we would have never thought he was.
He lived with his mom about 16 miles from us and we saw him once a week usually Sundays. Both DH and myself would have never even thought he was doing any kind of drugs.Such a sweet kind hearted kid. Always trying to make everyone smile. B student in school.
Our hearts are broken and there is so many unanswered question.
This will be an ongoing thing now. There are going to be arrest made from the people who sold this to him...it will never end.
If my step-son Josh was put on this earth for a reason...I hope the reason is that drugs are fatal when used in the wrong way. They say everyone has a purpose on earth and I believe that maybe this was his reason...maybe I am wrong but if we can help just one person who is using drugs to get off them because of Josh's death. It will be a blessing.
I am sorry for rambling on...and if the moderators want to remove this post because of the contents they can do so.
Thanks for letting me vent here...what a tough time here.

By Insaneusmcwife on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 06:35 pm:

(((Kathy))) I am so sorry!
I never heard of a morphine patch let alone that it was being used as a choice of "drug". Do they know how he got this patch?

By Trisa on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 06:46 pm:

I am so very sorry. Drugs is something we all pray our kids will never do. I have never heard of the new morphine thing. Hugs to you. I really don't know what else to say but that I really am so very sorry.

By Texannie on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 06:48 pm:

I am so sorry for your loss.

By Deek on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 06:53 pm:

so sorry for your loss

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 06:55 pm:

Oh {{{Kathy}}}, I'm so very sorry. Yes, so very many questions, like, "WHY?!" WHY don't kids realize the risks involved? Is it because they think they're young and invincable? ??? Many hugs and prayers coming your way. Vent here any time.

By Newbabysarah on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 07:50 pm:

I know everyone else is saying sorry and my instinct is to say it too but I think as you said in your post, he had a higher purpose. I have lost enough close people in my life to know that the pain never goes away, it just dulls after some time has passed. As long as you can remember and celebrate his life, that will be your warmest comfort. Feel free to email me personally if you need some more encouraging thoughts on this because like I said before, I know how this feels. My email is : tracie@agileauto.com

(((((HUGS Kernkate))))))

By Sue3 on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 08:06 pm:

((((( BIG HUGS KATHY ))))))

By Mommmie on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 08:16 pm:

Oh, gosh, I'm sure your heart is breaking! What a tragic thing to have happen to you, your family and stepson.

I appreciate the info about the morphine patch. Haven't heard of that yet. I just don't think teens understand the risks involved. I know I didn't when I was that age. I think you can TELL teens of risks, but for some reason, they don't hear it. Hugs.

By Cat on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 08:31 pm:

Kathy, I wish I could reach through here and hug you. I'm so sorry about your dss. I remember when my dad was sick (had cancer) he would have morphine patches delivered by UPS. I was always amazed that they wouldn't even ring the bell, they'd just drop them at the door and leave them. Even if we weren't home! My parents lived out in the country, but what if they were in an apartment or something? They could have easily been stolen. I do hope that many teens in your area learn something from Josh's death. You're so right--if it saves just one other kid... Big hugs to your whole family. Prayers, too.

By Bobbie on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 09:27 pm:

Kathy, I had never heard of this. I did a search and there are sites about the abuse of these patches and there have been many deaths because of it. Says that they cut the patches into fourths and then they suck/chew on them. Hon, I am so sorry you all are having to go through this. I think that you are so right we are all here for a reason. My heart breaks for you. And I hope that his friends know his story and get help so no one else has to go through what you are all going through. Big hugs...... And many prayers still going out to you all....

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 09:52 pm:

{{{{{{{KATHY}}}}}}}

I'm wondering where these kids get the morphine patches. They are highly controlled schedule II narcotics. And the patches are time-release, they are usually changed every 72 hours, or near that. Chewing or sucking on them would send a huge amount of narcotic into their bloodstream at once. It's the same as the oxycontin tablets that aren't meant to be cut because they are time release. There have been many overdoses and fatalities in people who have cut them.

I can't imagine the anguish you all must be feeling with so many unanswered questions. I'm so sorry.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:09 am:

I'm so sorry and also wonder how those kids got ahold of them. Narcotics are very closely accounted for in medical institutions and pharmacies.

By Cheekymama on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 05:34 am:

I'm so sorry to hear about your stepson. It's so sad that these teens don't realize the dangers of what they perceive as harmless highs. You questioned what kind of high one would get from morphine -- well, it's not just an analgesic (painkiller), it's also a narcotic that "can produce intense euphoria and a general state of well-being and relaxation". It's that euphoria they're after. I admire your conviction that if his death can save just one other person his purpose will have been served.

By Feona on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 07:01 am:

What a tragedy! I do hope someone can learn from this.

By Marg on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 08:23 am:

((((Kath))))

By Mrsclark on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 08:41 am:

That is terrible. There was something in the news here not too long ago about a nurse (can't remember if male/female) who was arrested for stealing them from a patient in a nursing home! Poor man! That was awful! She/he was his nurse and let him be in pain! As for your dss, could it be possible this was even a first time and he had no idea and was lied to? You never know now days with peer pressure or just curious and if he had B's, it's doubtful to me (being past experienced with it) that he was doing drugs. That is a terrible thing someone did to him! I am very sorry, even though I'm sure God had him here for a reason, it doesn't make it easier to lose him. My dss died at 18 exactly to the day one year before yours. (His was cancer and he also had morphine patches, etc., but for his pain.)

By Lauram on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 09:07 am:

I'm so sorry. THat is terrible. I've never even heard of that.

By Bubbels~admin on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 10:46 am:

Oh, Kathy. I'm thinking that perhaps he was NOT experienced with drugs and that it why some fool was able to convince him it was okay to do what he did, that'd it just be fun, try it this one time, it won't hurt you ... He probable wasn't really into drugs, and that's why you guys never suspected. Peer pressure, the desire to fit in, the curiosity about the "unknown." When we're young, we believe we're invincible. That poor baby was a good kid, and it's such a tragedy that he was fooled by someone into believing it'd be okay. I agree with you that if there is anything good that could possibly come out of this, it's the fact that right now, with your post here at Momsview alone, hundreds of mothers are telling their children Josh's story. I believe Josh's story will save more than one life today and will save more than one family from having to go through the devastation and heartache that your family is going through. My heart goes out to you, and I'll be keeping your family in my prayers. ((E-HUGS)) heading your way.

By Jodie on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 11:57 am:

I'm so sorry Kathy. THis is a tragedy. I haven't even heard of morphine patches. My God , it scares the heck out of me. There seems to be new evil on the streets for our children to fall prey to every day. May God give you strength and peace.

By Bobbie on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 10:10 pm:

People sell off their medication for money. Most people that are terminally ill are on a very low very fixed incomes and sadly enough they sell off their prescriptions to dealers.

And through researching they cut them into fourths and normally take a fourth at a time. Maybe your DSS and his friends didn't understand what a full does would do. Heard about using them to get high but didn't know exactly what they were supposed to do.. I agree with the peer presure thing. I know that it can be pretty bad and kids just think it can never happen to them..

By Boxzgrl on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 10:20 pm:

I don't have much to say but my thoughts are with you and your family. I've seen the many posts of your DHs broken heart and I hope in time it starts to heal. It is sad that his sons death was caused by drugs but i'm glad your looking for a good point to this and maybe he was sent her to put a message out to others in his situation.
Now he is up there with our Lord and will never be hurt again.

(((HUGS))) and many prayers go out to your family.

By Kernkate on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 11:33 am:

(((HUGS))) to all of you. You are all so supportive. You can not imagine what a good feeling it gives me to have you guys to vent to. I sit here with my DD all day and momsview is like having a friend with me. Thanks
We are still waiting to hear where the morphine patches came from, there are many conflicting stories. The police are doing a great job of investigating, and hopefully we will have some answers soon.We know that there will be arrest made but until the Grand Jury Investigation things seem to be hush hush.
Just please let people know this story and maybe it will help another person. I would never want to see a family go trough the difficult time we are all going through right now.
Thanks again and I will update when we hear something.
All you are truly the best!!!

By Eve on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 02:17 pm:

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. I know very well about the patches. I have a close family member that used them to control pain and became addicted to them. It was not a happy time and he is no longer with us. I know what you are feeling. It's very senseless! I agree that your story can always help someone else. You may be helpiing someone right now who is reading your post. Hugs to you and your family.