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

He really was a good person.

Terry was my first born son, and the first love of my life. He was an awesome kid. He just wanted to be loved. The demons took over and he lost his battle. Losing him has shattered my family's life and nothing will ever be the same. I blame myself. I miss him more each day and as long as I breathe I will speak his name everyday. I will continue to keep his memory alive always. Terry you are so missed and loved beyond measure. Forever 29 💔

My son grew up with many friends. He was always the class clown and loved sports. All sports. If he had gone in the direction of baseball further, I believe he could have earned a scholarship. He was the one I would always hear the other parents say, "Oh we have to stand up, this is the kid that always hits the homers." I would grin from ear to ear, thinking that's my boy. His stepfather raised him with me. When we met he was eight years old. He helped him with his love of sports, coaching, and attending games of the sports teams in Philadelphia he loved so much. He had a few trials along the way, as we all do. My parents passing away in 1995 only nine months apart from each other and since I was young when I had him and his biological father left to go in the army when he was young, thankfully they helped us a lot. He was my mom's pride and joy, and he could do no wrong in her eyes.
He decided in 2009 to get in touch with his biological father. I tried to discourage him since he hadn't reached out to him since he was two and I didn't want to see my son hurt. He said, "Mom, I'm a man now. I can handle it." So, we got in touch and he came up and spent that Thanksgiving with us. In a way, it was like a fairy tale - we all reconnected and my son saw his mother and father rekindle. In January of the next year, 2010, we remarried and he moved with us to PA from AL. He wasn't used to the snow, we had a rough winter that year and he was looking for work. He went on three interviews and we were keeping his spirits up. Though we didn't know how he was really feeling. On February 27, 2010 my son's father took a walk and never returned. Later, he was found in a park - he had taken his life.
That was my son's demise....He carried around a lot of anger, guilt, and many other emotions. He began using pills first that I'm aware of and within a few years it progressed to coke, crack, and heroine. He was in rehab five times, two recovery houses and the crisis center a few times.
In October 2018, he went into a recovery house in Philly. I was skeptical but he was a man and had to make his own choices. He thrived, he loved the meetings, made a lot of friends, chaired meetings, and went back to the rehabs he had been in to talk to the patients of his journey.
He made it two weeks shy of his one year sober anniversary. When he chaired the meetings, he would always say "let's get deep." The past year of his life was a gift, I got to see my son again underneath the disease, yet better - more humble and grateful. We had many deep conversations filled with tears and laughter. We made memories I will treasure always. He fought hard, I know he did. I saw it - he prospered -looked healthy and most of all the lost, hollow look in his eyes were gone. Yet, the horrific disease of addiction was always there lurking around. I'm not sure what made him turn back, as he was eagerly counting the day until his one year anniversary. I know he didn't want to die and I know in my heart he loved me dearly. At least, many of his friends through recovery tell me over and over. I miss him dearly, I talk to him everyday and I pray one day, I can find the peace he did just on this side and hopefully be able to share his story. If I'm able to save one person, it will be worth it.

Danny was my nephew and an amazing young man. He struggled with addiction for 10+ years. He was funny, handsome, kind, and his smile could light up a room. I miss talking to him and hearing his voice. He had the prettiest blue eyes that could look right through you. I hope he has found peace. I can only pray.

Keely was a mother of two boys, Kaleb and Kayden. She had the prettiest smile you’ve ever seen, and was loving, funny, and always joking. Her story is she died of an overdose. The people she was with chose to drive her miles and miles and leave her in a mobile home instead of getting her help. They could have dropped her off anywhere. I miss her every minute of every day. It should be her at all the school functions, holidays, and birthdays. Merry Christmas in heaven, Keely Rae ❤️

TC was a creative soul. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was kind, loving, smart, strong, fearless never met a stranger. To know him was to love him and his laugh and sense of humor.

Emma was my only child. A gift I always wanted. A daughter to name Emma. I wasn't able to have children so she was adopted in 1990 from Bucharest, Romania. It was love at first site. About 2001, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The meds didn't always help and when she was about 18 she began to self-medicate and eventually started heroin. Not a steady user. Emma would stop for months at a time. Then it just engulfed her. I tried and tried to help but eventually she succumbed to it. I miss her with every part of my existence. I still thank God for giving her to me for 25 years.

Danny was a loving son, brother, father, and friend. He loved all people and tried to find positivity in everything. He had a very good sense of humor and was loved by many. An inspiration in death.

My kindhearted son. A loving father. Always joking and making others laugh no matter what. Such a void in our hearts. Sadly missed. ❤🧡💜💚💛

Vincent died suddenly in his home in Bellmawr, NJ, on October 19, 2017. He was born October 30, 1970 in Chertsey, England. Vincent was best known as the drummer for Moonseed. He was affectionately known as "Limey". He is survived by his father Dudley, brother Lee, sister Suzanne, fiance Karen Marie, and their daughter Rhythm Jacqueline. Vincent was well versed in many aspects of music. He played multiple instruments and was also skilled in video production, recording, promoting, and mixing. Vincent will sadly be missed and his legacy will live forever in his music. 

Going to miss her beautiful smile this Christmas

My daughter and friend.
Gone, but never forgotten
Always. Momma

My daughter was taken very quickly, by using heroin with her boyfriend. I didn’t have to go through the addiction with her because heroin stole her life right away.
So now I tell people, it only takes once. Please please do not even “try” heroin, it could be your first and LAST time.
Heroin destroyed more than my life, for 3 months later her boyfriend took his own life from the guilt he felt.
Heroin is an equal opportunity destroyer.
NOT ONE MORE.
COURTNEY was so beautiful Inside and out. She made an impact on many lives and continues to do so. You can read more about my daughter’s life on the Facebook page I set up called
“Heroin Recovery-For the Love of Courtney”

Brandon was one of the most selfless people you would ever meet. He was a business owner and an amazing young man with a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone, but was unable to help himself with his own addiction. This horrible disease took the life of my amazing, beautiful son. Brandon is missed dearly by his family and friends. His death has left such an indescribable hole in my heart.

Whitney struggled with addiction for close to 10 years. It started out as just smoking marijuana daily to eventually smoking methamphetamines. Being a type one diabetic, this obviously wasn’t good on her health. Having easy access to needles, she turned to intravenous use after several years. In 2012, she gave birth to her son Abel. This was the chance for her to finally turn her life around. He ended up having hydrocephalus and passed away in her arms at 15 months old. This ultimately led her to use harder than ever before. After his death, she and the father broke up and she got into a new relationship. They were pretty toxic for each other, but at least he kept her alive. She was finally happy again. She had several miscarriages throughout the following years and would always end up relapsing. She just wanted to be a mother and couldn’t understand why she couldn’t carry a healthy child. A week before her death, she ended up having her third miscarriage. She thought because she had been sober off and on for over a year that maybe this time would be different. I truly believe this is what led her to shooting up so much that it made her overdose. She was in so much pain. Her death certificate will always say methamphetamines intoxication, but it seems like drug use suicide to me. She is my only full blooded sibling. Even though I love my other siblings, her and I share a bond unlike any other. A few months before she passed away, I started working at an outpatient substance use treatment center. A month before she passed, I started college courses to obtain my bachelors degree in addiction counseling. All these life events I started before she passed was just me trying to better my life and future. Now, it’s become a passion of mine. I couldn’t save her, but I’m going to help other people like her before it is too late. No other family deserves to feel this pain and suffering.

We lost my daughters father to this demon drug. He gave it his best and fought LONG and HARD. Tragically, it still got the best of him. Leaving behind my daughter as well as her three half brothers without a father. God only takes the best. "All Struggles End One Day"...RIP Joshua Lee Sopoci AKA "Aseone"...We will FOREVER miss and love you dearly.

A loving son, brother, father, and loyal friend, who could make anybody laugh. Derek truly brought joy to my life as his mother, and to anyone's life he touched. Miss you my sweet angel. RIP my son.

Michael was a gentle giant with a heart of gold. He was a lover of all things art but his true passion was creating music.

My brother Chris was always trying to get a laugh out of you. He was so funny and always had this mischievous sideways smile that could light up a room. He loved animals and being around people. He had a huge heart and would try to protect those he loved. His best friend was my oldest brother and they shared such a special bond. He also loved his daughter dearly and I know he tried to be the best father he could be. He battled addiction for decades and was in and out of rehabs for most of his life. I can only hope and pray now that his torment is over and his soul has been set free. I imagine him in heaven with Jesus' arms around him taking away all of his pain. He will be forever missed and never forgotten and will live forever in our hearts.