Mothers of drug victims to carry their children’s voices to United Nations
VANCOUVER — Nearly four years after her daughter died of an opioid overdose, Donna May will share her story of loss and learning at the United Nations.
May’s daughter Jac, 35, died on Aug. 21, 2012, after overdosing on pain medication prescribed to help her cope with a flesh-eating disease she’d contracted after years of addiction and life on the streets.
“From the time she passed away until (now) all I’ve done is advocate for drug policy reform and to have other people receive the education I was given so they don’t face the situation the same way I did. And that’s my daughter’s legacy,” May said in an interview from Mississauga, Ont.
May and three other mothers whose children lost their lives to drugs have been invited by the Canadian government to attend a three-day United Nations session that begins Tuesday aimed at addressing the world’s drug problem. May is slated to speak at a side event on the final day of the conference.