Community Corner

Local Mom Starts Foundation After Son Dies from Heroin Overdose

The Ian Brown Foundation is a memorial fund that will help educate North County families about the horrors of heroin in honor of Ian Brown, 21, who passed away in Sept. from an overdose.

The following is an interivew with Cathie Brown who told Patch, "I am devastated by the death of my beautiful son, but if I am able to help even one other person it will really help to cope with his loss."

She believes heroin addiction is “almost an epidemic” now, knowing many North County young people who have died from heroin abuse. "Heroin is readily available (locally or from Mexico) and it is the most addictive drug with a less than 3% rate of successful quitting," explained Brown. 

Patch: Tell us about your son. How did he get into heroin, what was it like as mom dealing with that and then dealing with his death.

Ian first used heroin at age 16 when he was carelessly experimenting with drugs. He felt that he wasn't taking too much of a risk since the heroin was being smoked and it didn't seem like it would be much more of a big deal than smoking weed.  He had no idea what he was getting into. Heroin is a highly addictive drug with a very low rate of recovery.  In other words, many adults struggle for 8-10 years before they can stay in recovery for a reasonable period of time. There probably arent even any statistics yet for kids who start using at such a young age.  After hiding his addiction for about a year, Ian finally came to his father and I for help.  The next 4 years of his life were a struggle to beat heroin.  He tried everything ; rehab programs, Suboxone treatments, Methadone, isolating himself and going "cold-turkey, but nothing worked for a long period of time. He became increasingly frustrated with his lack of success and we as parents felt hopeless and useless watching him struggle.  Overcoming an addiction is a very difficult thing to do. It takes dedication and responsibility to attend meetings, work with a sponsor and successfully complete a program.  Most 18-year-olds don't have the maturity to do this.  When Ian died he was in his 4th residential rehab program and had a full-time job.  By all appearances things were looking up.  Apparently he had a craving to use once more and that was all it took.  His body had been clean from the drug for so long that he had no tolerance and overdosed.  

Patch: Why did you decided to start a foundation?

The Ian Brown Foundation was my girlfriend Holli's idea.  She knew that people would want to help.  She knew how angry I was with this drug and what it had done to our family and other families like ours. Heroin has been a huge problem in the past few years in North County and it doesnt seem to be getting any better. 

Patch: What will the foundation do and how will donations be spent?

The idea is to educate other parents and children about the horrors of heroin abuse.  It is not a drug to be trifled with.  I want them to understand that  you can become hooked on this drug very easily, almost immediately, and that you shouldn't even think about trying it even one time.

If you want to donate to this cause, you can give to the Ian Brown Foundation c/o Coastal Community Foundation P.0. BOX 320415  Enc., CA 92023-0415

For more information go to: coastalfoundation.org which is the Ian Brown Foundation's umbrella organization. 


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