LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Real Talk. Real Facts— This was the theme of the first annual community gathering hosted by Association of People Against Lethal Drugs, or APALD. For Americans ages 18 to 45, illicit drug use is the leading cause of death. For APALD founder Diane Urban, the event carries a deeply personal meaning. Urban's goal is to raise awareness about support resources available for those struggling with addiction, after her son, Jordan, passed away from fentanyl poisoning in 2019.
"We have 12 different organizations out here with the resources they offer to come together as a community to try and to figure out better ways we can help each other and get the word out and end the stigma because stigma is a huge thing. People don't want to talk about it, but drug deaths are real,” says Diane Urban, Founder of APALD.
For inspiration overcoming addiction, Vice President JD Vance's mother, Beverly Vance Aikins, was the keynote speaker. Aikins shared her story battling years of drug addiction that was also made public in Vice President Vance’s 2016 memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy.”
"I actually had to lose everything to get clean. I felt like I was a low bottom drug addict. My family weren't speaking to me. I hope everybody doesn't have to get to that point to get clean and sober... but for this drug addict, that's what had to happen," says Beverly Vance Aikins, Mother of Vice President JD Vance who overcame drug addiction.
Aikins was addicted to Vicodin and pain pills, morphine and heroin. She lost her nursing license, became homeless and developed suicidal ideation. After years of torment, Aikins decided to receive help.
"It was very frightening, and I actually wanted to die. I prayed that God would just let me go to sleep and not wake up. I did get into treatment, and my prayers started to change and life got better, " says Vance Aikins.
And today, Aikins is incredibly thankful for taking that first step in reclaiming her life.
"If you're suffering from addiction that... recovery is possible. I'm very grateful, and I'm blessed and I know it wouldn't be possible without the love of my family. If I made a list of everything that I wanted out of recovery, what I have today, my list would not do it justice," says Vance Aikins.
