A mother who lost her son to heroin 18 years ago has hosted a poignant memorial service for families affected by drug overdoses in Aberdeen.
Caroline Butler, a returned nurse-turned campaigner, hosted the event on Saturday.
A group of volunteers from the Substance Bereavement Support Aberdeen met at a planter at the Carmelite Hotel to pay tribute to those lose to addiction, with red roses and hand-crafted windmills laid in memory of those lost.
The group then chatted about their own experiences, and what could be done to curb the city’s drug crisis.
Mrs Butler said: “The Substance Bereavement Support Aberdeen (SBSA) started 11 years ago and offers support to anyone who lost someone to substance abuse.
“There are mostly mums involved, everyone deals with grief differently but talking things through can really help some people.
“There’s a story behind every person who is involved with drugs. I know that for a fact.”
Mrs Butler’s son, Kevin, died of a heroin overdose 11 years ago.
The former Powis Academy pupil started “dabbling” in drugs when he was 16 and in time became hooked on the Class A substance, even turning to a life of crime to fuel his addiction.
He died in 2001.
Mrs Butler has campaigned tirelessly to remove the stigma surrounding drug addicts as a result of her son’s story.
She said: “It’s not just drugs that lead to substance deaths – there are a whole variety of factors and behind every death there is a story.
“Kevin’s problems – ADHD and behavioural issues – weren’t addressed.
“If he’d have got the help he needed earlier – then he could have lived a far better life.
“The stigma surrounding addiction and drug deaths is still terrible, and more needs to be done to help vulnerable young people before it is too late.
“At SBSA we try to remember our children with pride and with dignity, and that’s what we were celebrating yesterday.”
#IOAD is over for another year.
But overdose prevention and awareness is about more than just a day.
It's about every single day, of every year.
To all of you who took part this year, thank you.
You have helped make a better, safer, more tolerant world.#EndOverdose
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— OverdoseDay (@OverdoseDay) September 1, 2019
Mr John Ryan, CEO of the Penington Institute, said: “International Overdose Awareness Day aims to help all those who are at risk of overdose globally.
“We want to help everyone touched by overdose, including friends and family, and help everyone better understand this issue a little more.
“It’s only through understanding that we will be able to reach high risk individuals and, ultimately, end overdose.”
To find out more go to www.overdoseday.com/uk