Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2014
Source: Sunderland Echo (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Johnston Press Digital Publishing
Contact: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/contactus.aspx
Website: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4121

FAMILY'S PLEA AFTER SON DIED OF DRUG OVERDOSE

THE grieving mum of a Wearside man who died of a drug overdose today
called for more help to stop young people following the same tragic
path.

Cath Wareing's son David Pace, 26, died in April this year following a
heroin overdose.

He had intermittently took Valium, cocaine and crack
cocaine.

Although his family insist David, who was dad to Josie, three, wasn't
an addict, they 
believe he and many other people in the
situation he 
found himself in need support quicker to stop
their lives being wasted.

The former Washington School pupil began using cannabis aged 12, but
stopped after receiving counselling.

But in the past few years, he had been troubled by drug and drink
problems - although his family say it was a shock to them that he had
used heroin before his death.

Speaking at her home in Donwell, Washington, Cath, 47, said: "This
issue needs to be highlighted to stop other families from going
through what we are now.

"We had grave concerns about David weeks before he died, even though
he only dabbled in different drugs.

"We were at our wits' end trying to look after him, but how do you
keep a 26-year-old man in the house all day?

"It was mental torture for us because we knew he needed to go to a
rehabilitation place but he couldn't get one.

"He knew the dangers of taking drugs and he wanted to change. There
needs to be support out there."

Popular David, who had worked in factories and also 
as a
labourer since leaving school, was laid to rest at Sunderland
Crematorium, with hundreds turning out for an emotional send-off weeks
after his death.

Cath, along with David's dad Malcolm, 53, and his sister Kristy, 23,
have now set up a Facebook page called Pacey's Plea, which already has
almost 1,400 members.

They are hoping to share 
David's story which will then deter
other youngsters from spiralling into drug and alcohol misuse.

Cath says she would like to go into schools and colleges to

talk of the perils of drugs to pupils.

She added: "The way we have lost David has just made me more
determined to help others because his death was so needless.

"Already I strongly believe that we are getting through to
people.

"We can't bring David back but I know if he was here now, he would be
saying to others 'don't do what I did'.

Malcolm said: "Even if we save one person from going the way David
did, then that's something."

To "like" Pacey's Plea, search for the group on Facebook.

Help is here

KARYN Jackson is the general manager of Fuscia, an organisation in
Sunderland that aims to provide support, knowledge and respite to
families and carers of substance misusers.

She said the plight of 
David Pace's family is a familiar one:
"Help is out there for families like David's. It's an incredibly
difficult situation to be in.

"People can refer themselves, and GPs can also refer people, but we
need alcohol and drug misuse services to pass families on to us as
well.

"We work to find out people's individual situations and offer whatever
support they need."

To find out more, visit www.fuscia.org.uk or call 567 0581. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D