The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

To everyone who looked at my son, including himself, he was nothing but a heroin addict. That’s all he was and was ever going to be. He was so far down the rabbit hole that he didn’t even realize he was a son, a brother, an uncle, and a grandson anymore. He didn’t feel worthy of or believe he was loved by anyone. But, that heroin junkie was MY baby boy. My first born son. He WAS loved by so many people. People who wanted him to be clean but didn’t have the tools to help him get there. I talked to my son every day and was told he was working, had a great job, etc., just needed a little help now and then. Not going to lie, there were times when I was furious not understanding how you could just have gotten paid and on the same day you need 800 because something went out on your car. If he only told me the truth and not lied to me, MAYBE we could have gotten him clean this time and saved his life. He was such a beautiful child inside and out. So kind, polite, loving, considerate funny -- oh was he funny and smart. He was so smart! He was amazing. Everyone who met him fell in love. I just did not know what to do, how to help and I am SO SORRY
for that. All I wanted was for him to be happy and have everything in his life he wanted, a girl by his side who treated him well, to be a father (he adored his nephew) and just be happy! Unfortunately we did reach those goals. My son WAS NOT just and addict. He was my son. I loved him every second of every minute of every hour of every the day since he was born and will until the day I take me last breath. Seeing him be born and hearing nhis voice for the first time took my breath away. Holding him and watching and hearing him take his last breath. Nearly took my life away. I’m fighting hard to old on. The tears won’t stop falling. I miss you much. - Justin’s mom

I watched you struggle for years and unfortunately this addiction took its toll 2015. I wish there was more help out there for you and the ones who are suffering now from addiction. I will never forget your last text, the last time I would ever hear from you again... “ Sorry I won’t be there for you and Mia anymore”!!!!!!!! When I got that message on my phone I never knew that was the last time I would ever see you again. Forever missed. I wish we had more time, there was so much more too life for us to enjoy. My father, my hero, I will always love you 1/7/2015😢

He was my soulmate. He was my best friend. I will never get over his death

Hunter was the oldest of my three. Our family lived in El Dorado County-Half way between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. It was a great place to live and raise kids. Mountains, rivers and lakes. Hunter liked to enjoy all the fun things to do there. He was very funny and quirky. He was smart and had lots of talents—he loved skiing, skateboarding and dirt biking at Hangtown Dirtbike track. He became a certified scuba diver on a family trip to Mexico. His Grammy and he went to London when he was 14. He flew to Tacoma to drive his sister back home. He always wanted to get his pilot’s license but I think his anxiety got the best of him. He loved cars, especially the expensive sports cars and knew everything about them. He was very handsome and had lots of friends. He never had a real girlfriend and I think it was because he was too shy. He had a good upbringing with loving parents and extended family. I think he just never felt “right” and drugs gave him that pleasure. Experimenting with Oxycontin someone stole from their Grandma's medicine cabinet. It all ended so sadly the day after his 25th Birthday. He and I had dinner the night before. I just don’t think he cared at that point. His Dad found him and I’m sure will be haunted forever by that. I know now Hunter is not suffering and we will be together again.

Blake was a wonderful son & brother! He loved the Washington Nationals!!! He had a kind heart & was a really good person to all who knew him. He was not defined by his demons but rather by his kind soul. Our beautiful son & brother lost his battle to Heroin & The Opioid Crisis on April 9, 2017. He struggled in & out of Rehabilitation for 5 years. Words can not express how much our family misses Blake!! We only pray that our Country does not forget those Sons, daughters, fathers & mothers who have lost their lives to The Opioid Crisis & Addiction!!! As Addiction does not discriminate and affects all walks of life! Gone but not forgotten my beautiful son. “Forever in Our Hearts!♥️

Cody died from drug use, he is terribly missed. Our lives are forever changed.

We just miss her...

Cannon was a light, a very bright warm light.

My dad was very humorous and sweet. He wanted and tried to be a good person but he didn't want to admit his problems. He tried to hide it, but it overtook his life and he wasn't able to overcome it. I know he is at peace.

Beloved son and brother, loving father of four, talented artist, huge heart, loyal friend...truly one of a kind and cut from a rare cloth.

Amber was such an amazing, beautiful, talented soul with a smile that nobody could ever forget. She was my middle child and the exact opposite of the "middle child syndrome.' At the time of her addiction and death, she was an amazing mother to 2 children. I cannot say enough good about this beautiful lost soul, gone too son. Forever 29. My mini me. My happy child. My oh so loved one (by everybody.) Her funeral was standing room only, which just made me understand less why anyone takes this path. I miss her so very much every day. Her very young children she left behind are so amazing and miss their mommy so much, too.

Cole was my youngest of three kids. He was so loving and gifted. Talented and sarcastic. He made me laugh everyday and he loved everyone. He grew up playing piano. He was highly intelligent so he could aways come up with a sarcastic comment. He was too smart for his own good sometimes. He was a Varsity butterfly Swimmer and ran Cross country. He became addicted to oxycodone after he was hospitalized with Mono and a severe bacterial throat infection. He began mixing medications and that is what lead to his death. He was only 17. Entering his Senior year of high school that fall. He went to bed and gave me a kiss goodnight. I told him I loved him and that was the last time I would see him alive. We found him already passed in his bed with his headphones still in the next morning. He died of accidental multiple drug toxicty. An autopsy was performed.

Brady was a wonderful person and loved everyone. He was a talented chef and enjoyed his passion of cooking. He struggled with Heroin addiction and lost his life to an overdose of Heroin laced with Fentanyl. He is missed everyday and he will never be forgotten ❤️💔🦉

I lost my 19 year old Daughter, Madison, (we all call her Maddy) to an accidental overdose of xanax that was laced with fentanyl.. She was a natural born athlete, played lacrosse, basketball. Was all county in high school for field hockey, but her main sport was Softball.. She is loved and missed by all her family and friends!! Maddy my only daughter I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK ALWAYS AND FOREVER, FOREVER AND ALWAYS MY PRINCESS..💜#FOREVER19 #MYDAUGHTER

Shawn was a woman who was selfless. She put others first, especially her 2 beautiful daughters. She struggled with alcohol/drug addiction on and off for years as well as bipolar disorder. She was a domestic violence survivor, at the hands of a boyfriend, the attack she endured almost took her life. The plastic surgeons were able to fix her external facial scars but no one could fix her internal scars. She didn't talk much about her attack after the trial. She kept it hidden. We knew she was struggling and eventually she sought help from the bottle. That too she kept hidden. Until December 30, 2017. Shawn unexpectedly became very sick after a night of arguing with her soon to be ex-husband and drinking. Just 2 short days later on January 1, 2018, she succumbed to the illness. Our family, her many, many friends and our community lost a wonderful woman. Shawn touched so many people during her short time on this planet. Including children in an orphanage in Qwa Qwa, South Africa. A place she visited on a mission trip about 2 years prior to her death. Since her passing, the Shawn Parks Feeding Center has been opened in Qwa Qwa for the many homeless children in the region. A place Shawn said upon her return from the missions trip, "I left a piece of my heart in Qwa Qwa." A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman.

Beautiful young lady inside and out. Loved beyond measure by her mother, father, sisters, daughter, family and friends.
Struggled after being prescribed painkillers for surgery and became addicted to opiates.
She fought a great fight and we are so grateful for the time we had with our Jellybean. Unfortunately for her family and herself, Fentanyl took her life. May she rest in heavenly peace.

Beloved Son to Dan & Kathy. Brother to Jayne & Juli. And Dad to Mia & Ryan.

My Joshua, you struggled for most of your life... beginning with the loss of your dad in your life to alcoholism.. your sensitive, sweet heart and witty personality was driven to desperation to find your way...You married your first love, had 3 beautiful children in your 26 years. You are always in our hearts... We love you forever and always, my sweetheart 💔