More than a decade has passed since Becky Savage's teenage sons Nick and Jack died after mixing alcohol and opioids while with friends, she told an auditorium of students gathered at Portage Central High School Monday, March 9.
But the memory of finding them in the morning stills haunts her today.
Becky is an author and nurse educator who travels the country telling her sons' story and warning students and families about the dangers of drug misuse. Monday's assembly was the first of many she will hold in the District this week as part of "One Choice: An Opioid Education Event."
Becky spoke to the upperclassmen gathered at PCHS about the prevalence of counterfeit prescription drugs that often contain fentanyl, which is deadly even in small doses. Her own sons unknowingly took a drug containing fentanyl while drinking with friends but didn't wake in the morning.
Becky is bringing her story to 8th, 11th and 12th grade students at all middle and high schools in PPS. The District is also hosting a community event that is free and open to the public Wednesday, March 11, at Portage Central High. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Resource Expo, followed by an evening with the author starting at 6:30 p.m.
