Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and an overdose can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Please read our story below and watch the short documentary.
Thank You.
This was our beautiful boy.
He was intelligent, kind,
loving, and loyal.
He loved his classes at Montgomery County Community College and he loved working at Whole Foods. He loved his cat Piper and his bird Rosie. He loved his friends, he loved his Audi, he loved his mom and dad. He said he would take care of us when we get old. He tried, he struggled, he wanted so much in his life, he wanted to be happy, successful, and he wanted his life to be good.
Adoption, ADHD, sexual abuse by a trusted neighbor at the age of 7, wisdom teeth extraction, schools not understanding and unwilling to address his challenges, juvenile jail for truancy despite his severe anxiety about going to school, unqualified therapists, doctors not understanding, breakup with a girlfriend, parents trying but not knowing where to turn and not understanding.
There are so many things going on in a child's life. Each one is different.
Over time, Jake successfully got his GED, attended Montgomery County Community College and also worked at Whole Foods. He was in recovery for over a year until a breakup with his girlfriend. He then met a new “girlfriend” who introduced him to heroin. His Dad found him in his room. Jake died of an accidental overdose - Morphine and Fentanyl - on November 21st 2018.
The “System” did not work for my son.
Change is slow, and there is change, but we all need to contribute to making the change, whether we are affected by this disease or not. A one size fits all approach does not work. Systems need to change. Big pharma, appropriate behavioral health, psychiatry, accessibility, laws, to name a few. From our communities, to the county, to the states, to the country, to the world.
The challenges associated with Substance Use Disorder affect not just the person with the disease but the entire family, relatives, neighbors, friends. We started Springfield Township Opioid ACTION Committee (stoAc) to proactively educate others about this disease, engaging Springfield Township and its surrounding communities, Montgomery County, the School District of Springfield Township, and PA Dept. of Drug and Alcohol, along with National Organizations involved with SUD and Mental Health. We bring invaluable resources, information, and education to our community.**
Let's talk, let's listen, let's not judge. Understand what “NO STIGMA/NO SHAME” really means. This is big - bigger than all of us. But, we can start, one by one, day by day, to change. “BE THE CHANGE.”
Our lives now are coping every second of every day missing him, and knowing that no matter what he will always be our beautiful boy.
Jake William Senst, 20 years young.
It can happen to anyone anywhere anytime. don't ever judge, just try to understand, and always tell your kids you love them.
Thank you for reading,
Barb and Bob Senst
