RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — Three females are pushing for change after a rural county saw a spike in overdose deaths.
What You Need To Know
More than 3,200 people died in 2020 from drug overdoses in North Carolina, according to the Department of Health and Human Services
In Richmond County, overdose deaths more than tripled from 2019 to 2020
The death rate in the county in 2020 was twice the state average based on population
Chloe Jimmerson, 11, loves looking back at pictures of her mom, April Britton. She said each frame holds a special memory.
“It makes me feel like she is still in my presence sometimes,” Jimmerson said.
Jimmerson lost her mom to a fentanyl overdose three years ago. It happened one day after school. Her mom said she was taking a nap, but after not waking up several hours later Jimmerson and her sister started banging on the door. They called her aunt and uncle who arrived and busted the door open.
“Her head was purple, black and blue because she was leaning down,” Jimmerson said.
Jimmerson tries to wipe away that image from her mind. The loss is something she will live with her whole life.
“That pain never goes away,” Jimmerson said. “It’s like stabbing me every day in the back and the heart, everywhere. It still really, really hurts.”
Elizabeth Owens knows the pain as well. She lost her daughter to a drug overdose in 2021.
“She didn’t want to be like that, but it grabs you,” Owens said. “All it takes is a drop, and it takes you out of this world.”
It’s why both of them got involved with the nonprofit Steve's Wings.
Melissa Schoonover started the group because her family has also been impacted by opioid addiction. She named the nonprofit after her stepfather. The goal is to help provide resources to either prevent an opioid addiction or help someone get treatment.
“Steve’s Wings, now that he is not here, the wings of him wrap around people,” Schoonover said.
These women are just a few of the people in Richmond County impacted by drug overdose. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports between 2019 and 2020 overdose deaths more than tripled in the county.
Jimmerson says Steve Wing’s fills a void of isolation for families grappling with addiction.
“You know how people get lost and then they are found?,” Jimmerson said. “Well, this group is kind of like that.”
She hopes through Steve’s Wings those deep in addiction can get the help they need. The nonprofit is holding its Annual Overdose Awareness Rally in Rockingham August 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. For more details follow the nonprofit's Facebook page.