Overdose Crisis in CT: 'Gut Wrenching Seeing All These Beautiful Faces Now Lost to Drug Overdose'

Photo is of Teagan and Haley Kruczek holding up photo of Nick Kruczek

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

August 31st was International Overdose Awareness Day across the country and those in Connecticut who have lost loves to the heroin and opioid crisis gathered together to share stories and memories. Families gathered near the State Capitol in Hartford for a vigil.

Politicians, including U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who has made fighting the opioid crisis in the country one of his leading causes, were there. Among those in attendance was Sue Kruczek of Guilford, and her family and friends, who went to Hartford to celebrate the life of Nick Kruczek, Sue’s son, who died of a drug overdose at age 20 in 2013.

Below is Sue Kruczek’ description of the vigil:

It was a nice evening. We all piled in my car as soon as the kids got home from school. Jeff Reilly (an Emmy award winning filmmaker from the shoreline) and Sam Bebbins (the filmer) drove up with us.

They started filming and getting footage for the documentary Jeff is doing on me. Kind of ironic to begin the project on this day.

Lined along the fence were posters of many of our beautiful children lost too soon to this horrific epidemic. John Lally started a program called Today I Matter. After losing his son Tim to a drug overdose. He attends various functions displaying all the beautiful posters making a big impact on all.

It’s breathtaking and gut wrenching seeing all these beautiful faces now lost to drug overdose. All those faces belong to families that are forever broken.

917 purple flags were on display. Representing the 917 lives lost last year in Ct to overdose. 917..... lives lost. Unreal. And to think 2018 is looking to be even graver. Breaks my heart.

There were luminaries lining the walkway. A table set up with markers for anybody who wished to write a message to honor their loved one. Haley (Sue’s daughter and Nick’s sister) wrote to her brother. I did not see what she wrote. As she sometimes gets emotional and doesn't like us to watch her. She left her luminary choosing not to bring it home afterwards. So Nick probably lit the walkway all night just how he used to light up our lives.

Purple ribbons were handed out to be pinned on everybody. We were told to pin them upside down. Apparently that represents loss of life. I hate thinking about that

The night wasn't about speeches and stories being told. We all have stories. It was all about honoring and remembering our children we tragically lost to overdose.

Families who wanted could come up to the microphone and give their loved ones name and dates. Haley chose to speak for our family. Afterwards a long list of more names was read followed by a moment of silence.

It was truly beautiful.

There is a large group of us who have gotten to know each other through our departed children. We are all activists who truly love each other, have a special bond and do what we do because of the love we have for our children.

Their lives mattered.

Sue Kruczek