HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — On Tuesday, local medical professionals along with a mother who lost one of her own hosted a forum in order to let parents know more about fentanyl.
FOX54’s Nixon Norman was there and shares their story.
"Opioid overdoses are the most common type of overdose we see, and it's becoming increasingly fentanyl, instead of kind of more traditional opioids. You know, we used to see more heroin and pills, and even now, people who think that they're taking pills, are truly taking fentanyl," said Medical Director of Huntsville Hospital ER, Dr. Dan Neuberger, M.D.
It's a heartbreaking reality Denise Spiller knows all too well.
"I found out when he was about 19 that he definitely had an addiction problem, which started though at a very young age. I'd say around 15, just from prescription medication," said Spiller.
Her son, Austin Spiller, died due to an accidental fentanyl-related overdose nearly 10 years ago on June 8th of 2013.
Austin Spiller was only 20 years old.
"I mean, my daughter got her wisdom teeth out, got the prescriptions filled. One was for Oxycodone, handed it to her thinking this is a medicine that she needs. The doctor prescribed it for her and I didn't control it and I didn't watch it. That's where my journey with both of my children started," Spiller said.
That journey had several turns.
Spiller was a mom of two, and her daughter Ashley struggled as well with substance abuse disorder.
"She's been clean now for almost ten years. Her rock bottom was finding my son dead," said Spiller.
After ten years, her daughter's sobriety and the awareness people are now raising, have helped her make it through.
"All the resources that have become available in the last ten years have been my saving grace. We had nothing ten years ago," said Spiller.
One thing she wants every parent to be aware of is the danger of prescription drugs.
"If I could redo it all again, is to be aware of prescription drugs because they are laced. They may look like prescription drugs, but they can be laced with fentanyl and can be deadly. But even if they are from a pharmacist and they're prescription drugs, that is a starting drug to get them addicted," said Spiller.