Of the more than 90,000 drug overdoses in the United States in 2020, nearly 75% involved an opioid and that number continues to climb. On International Overdose Awareness Day, one local man is sharing his story to help others. From ‘Tragedy to Triumph’ is how Aaron Laine describes his journey through multiple opioid overdoses. That’s also the name of his podcast that led him to hear the stories of other countless addicts. He said they all have one common denominator; when they get better, they want to give back.”It’s kind of hard for me to rewind the clock and look at that sometimes,” Laine said.A picture of a skinny Laine with his three children was taken less than 24 hours after a fentanyl overdose six years ago. That would be the overdose that changed his life. “I didn’t get sober that day but if I would have died in that Kroger parking lot, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said.Eleven treatment centers later, he is now helping others struggling with addiction. Here at DeCoach Rehabilitation Centre in Westwood, he is a part of the only team in the tri-state that meets addicts where they are, in the streets.”We’re not here to judge people on the decisions that they’ve made but here to be a neighbor and say you know what if this was my son or daughter and this was happening, would I do anything to save their lives?” he asked. Laine said Overdose Awareness Day is about bringing the community together to show that people are in fact changing while acknowledging those that were lost. Something he says has been swept under the rug.”If we can address those things now, open up the lines of communication for people who have been through it then we can help that person not go through what we did,” he said.Addressing the fact that knowing how to save someone’s life, is just as equally important. “Any family and every family should have them regardless of if you think there is a drug problem in your house, or if your out at a soccer game these things do happen. He’s speaking of Narcan. Of the more than two dozen bars in Over-the-Rhine, Somerset is the only one to carry it. Laine says that needs to change especially with school in session.”Even if your experimenting or you think you’re just partying there is cross-contamination, there are black market pills that are not what you think they are. That’s a scary place to be,” Laine said. In September there will be a ‘Recover Out Loud Festival’. All vendors will be run by people in recovery along with food, games and live music.
Of the more than 90,000 drug overdoses in the United States in 2020, nearly 75% involved an opioid and that number continues to climb.
On International Overdose Awareness Day, one local man is sharing his story to help others.
From ‘Tragedy to Triumph’ is how Aaron Laine describes his journey through multiple opioid overdoses.
That’s also the name of his podcast that led him to hear the stories of other countless addicts.
He said they all have one common denominator; when they get better, they want to give back.
“It’s kind of hard for me to rewind the clock and look at that sometimes,” Laine said.
A picture of a skinny Laine with his three children was taken less than 24 hours after a fentanyl overdose six years ago. That would be the overdose that changed his life.
“I didn’t get sober that day but if I would have died in that Kroger parking lot, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
Eleven treatment centers later, he is now helping others struggling with addiction.
Here at DeCoach Rehabilitation Centre in Westwood, he is a part of the only team in the tri-state that meets addicts where they are, in the streets.
“We’re not here to judge people on the decisions that they’ve made but here to be a neighbor and say you know what if this was my son or daughter and this was happening, would I do anything to save their lives?” he asked.
Laine said Overdose Awareness Day is about bringing the community together to show that people are in fact changing while acknowledging those that were lost. Something he says has been swept under the rug.
“If we can address those things now, open up the lines of communication for people who have been through it then we can help that person not go through what we did,” he said.
Addressing the fact that knowing how to save someone’s life, is just as equally important.
“Any family and every family should have them regardless of if you think there is a drug problem in your house, or if your out at a soccer game these things do happen. He’s speaking of Narcan. Of the more than two dozen bars in Over-the-Rhine, Somerset is the only one to carry it. Laine says that needs to change especially with school in session.
“Even if your experimenting or you think you’re just partying there is cross-contamination, there are black market pills that are not what you think they are. That’s a scary place to be,” Laine said.
In September there will be a ‘Recover Out Loud Festival’. All vendors will be run by people in recovery along with food, games and live music.
