A first of its kind event for families of addicts. A rally was held to raise awareness of the heroin epidemic.
Every day, 144 lives are lost to accidental drug overdose. Experts say facing the shame, emotional devastation, and stigma that comes along with addiction can be hard.
Ron and Carla Hiers have been clean for just a few months. But a while ago, their overdose was caught on camera after they passed out in the street.
The couple has struggled with addiction for decades, and hope their public fall from grace can help others in similar situations.
“There are people in all walks of life that are affected by addiction,” said Ron Hires. “Some can hide it for a while but if you don’t stop it, it’ll come to light. No lie can go uncovered forever.”
Later in the afternoon, there was a march from Court Square Park to City Hall. That was to honor those who have lost their lives to addiction.
