Why We Tell Our Stories

When a parent like me tells the story of how their child was lost to a drug overdose it is common to hear these words: “I can’t even imagine….” And the truth is, it is unfathomable.  Unless you have been through it, it is hard to comprehend something so heartbreaking as losing someone to tragedy and how the family left behind can ever recover from it. But for those of us who have lived through the daily struggle of someone with addiction that is all we do … imagine. Every waking (and sometimes sleeping) moment is filled with the hope that our loved one will be able to stay sober and go on to live a full and productive life. And every day we ask ourselves, “Is today the day he won’t come home or can’t wake up?” That day came for me after a long, painful journey right before the COVID lockdowns.

I wear a silver charm around my neck as a daily reminder. It says, “Stronger than yesterday.” The message takes me back to those difficult times when I wasn’t sure I could keep going. But I did. With each day that passed I grew a little stronger through the love and support of family and friends that allowed me to redirect my grief and tell my story.  I channeled that energy into a commitment to help other families so they wouldn’t have to go through everything we did.  

A year and a half later, I met Victoria Malone. We were introduced through a mutual community friend who knew we had something in common – both of our sons had died from an accidental overdose from fentanyl. We quickly found that not only were our sons the same age and graduates of Crescenta Valley High School, but they were also friends.We became connected in a deep way and lifted up each other. 

Victoria and her son’s closest friends started a foundation in his honor and called it the Chace Taylor Malone Impact Foundation LA, with the hope of raising awareness in the community and providing resources to struggling families. I am proud to have joined the efforts of the IFLA, working in the parent sector of CV Cares, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. The organization brings local partners together to support individuals, reaches out to families by providing resources and letting them know they are not alone, and coordinates student engagement through the Youth Ambassador program at CVHS.

Victoria’s powerful story was one of several themes recently featured in the film titled “Dirty Drugs,” a documentary by producer and filmmaker Peter Bahlawanian and commissioned by the Glendale Police Dept. The film was shown last week at the LOOK Cinema followed by a panel discussion of individuals and families affected by substance misuse and professionals working in the field. Support organizations including IFLA were on hand to answer questions from attendees and provide information. The event was well-organized and well-attended and I was glad to be a part of it.

Glendale Police Dept.’s Substance Abuse and Wellness Resource Program is a great benefit to the community.Glendale PD has been at the forefront of issues related to homelessness, mental health and substance misuse for many years. From outreach events like “Dirty Drugs,” public service videos and Narcan® distribution to Red Ribbon education in the schools and the compassionate way officers address persons in need on the street, I believe their proactive approach saves lives.

At a time when law enforcement around the country is often criticized and departments are facing budget cuts, I am pleased to fully support the Glendale Police Dept.  Its team, along with the Glendale Fire Dept., was there for our family when we needed help the most and I will never forget the care they gave us on our worst day.  

For those who would like more information about the Impact Foundation LA and CV Cares, check out the website at https://theimpactfoundationla.org/. We are here to help.

Susan Bolan
susanbolan710@gmail.com