Devastated Mom Remembers Firstborn Son On Overdose Awareness Day

LONG ISLAND, NY — Hearts broken and lives forever altered, those who lost loved ones joined together Monday to mark International Overdose Awareness Day with tears, memories, and a vow to affect change.

Ceremonies were held Monday at Smith Point County Park, Robert Moses State Park, and Geiger Park; the events included guest speakers, candelight vigils, and tributes to lives cut short by the scourge of addiction. The Deer Park ceremony is available on Facebook Live, the Smith Point County Park event, on Zoom. The event at Robert Moses State Park included Narcan training.

International Overdose Awareness Day is held each year to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related death.

For Penny Maffetone of Laurel, the day she lost her beloved son Michael Anthony is as close as a heartbeat — her firstborn son, Michael, just 29, died of an overdose in their bathroom in 2012.

"It's the most devastating thing I have ever been through, losing my firstborn son to this horrible epidemic," Maffetone has told Patch.

"Please, if you need help, reach out," Maffetone said. "Addiction can touch every family; it does not discriminate. Especially in these times we are living in, there are a lot of people in pain and feeling isolated."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other elected officials and prevention advocates have said overdoses have seen a marked uptick during the epidemic.

"If you know someone who is suffering, please reach out, as many times as it takes," Maffetone said. "One day may be the day you reach out and they are ready to accept the help. I know too many families that live in pain and heartache missing their loved ones from drug overdoses."