The opioid crisis has been a devastating problem that has hit many families across the United States. But for one mother in northwest Indiana, it has been an unbearable tragedy. Less than a year apart, she lost not one, but two adult children to this epidemic.
Nicole Skertich, a mother from Crown Point, Indiana, invited NBC Chicago into her home to share her heartbreaking story. With tears in her eyes, she recounted the loss of her daughter Taylor and son Kyle, both of whom struggled with addiction and tragically passed away just eight months apart.
As Mother’s Day approaches, Skertich is faced with the painful reminder that she will spend the rest of her life without her beloved children by her side.
“I hit rock bottom when I lost my daughter Taylor,” Skertich lamented. “And then when I lost my son, it broke me. It killed me inside.”
Skertich’s story is just one of many that showcases the devastating impact of opioid addiction on families. It is a crisis that has left countless parents grieving the loss of their children, and Skertich is determined to make sure that their voices are heard.
“A lot of people think it’s just overdoses, but the truth is they’re dying from being poisoned,” Skertich explained. Her daughter Taylor was only 22 years old, and her son Kyle was just 25 when they passed away.
“It makes me sick,” Skertich said, “sick that nothing is being done for any of the families. Their lives matter, and we need to do more to protect them.”
As she continues to mourn the loss of her children, Skertich is also seeking to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning in her community. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and is often mixed with other drugs, resulting in deadly consequences.
“I want to see these dealers be held accountable,” Skertich said passionately, “because they know what they’re selling, and they know that it’s poison.”
According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, there have been 43 overdose deaths reported so far this year, with 29 of them being fentanyl-related. Last year, there were 170 overdose cases, with 143 of them linked to fentanyl.
“It’s scary,” said Patty Stovall, who lost her daughter to fentanyl poisoning and now runs an organization called Sounds of Sarah in her memory. “It’s really scary what’s happening right here in our backyard.”
Stovall is striving to make Narcan, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, more accessible in Lake County. Skertich, on the other hand, is using social media to reach out to other families affected by the crisis. Together, they are united in their fight to end the opioid epidemic.
“I hope that other parents don’t stay silent,” Skertich said firmly. “These drug dealers are poisoning people, and to me, that’s murder.”
On May 9th, Sounds of Sarah will be hosting their second annual “We Fight Together” event at Wicker Park in Highland, Indiana. The event aims to confront the stigma surrounding addiction, raise awareness, and educate the public about the opioid crisis. Organizers have planned a 3K walk/run and various activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to bring the community together in this fight.
“We need to educate our community, but we also need our government to do something more,” Stovall emphasized. Together, Skertich, Stovall, and many other parents and advocates are determined to make a difference and save lives.
As Mother’s Day approaches, let us remember the mothers who have lost their children to this tragic crisis and honor their memory by taking action to end it. Let us come together as a community, support each other, and fight for a better future for our children.
