The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

Stephen Robert Baer (aka Stive, Stee, Baer and Deet) was the most fun, humble, selfless, easy going, creative and loving father that my children, Ava and Talin, could ever ask for. He had a generous, Christ-like heart of gold who blessed literally everyone who crossed his path. Our hearts still ache as we mourn over the loss but rejoice that he is walking next to Jesus, our Lord in heaven. Steve struggled with addiction since he was a teenager. We never knew the extent of it and because of how extremely selfless and self-sacrificing he was. He spent so much time on others that he was unable to focus on fully healing himself of addiction, no matter how much he tried. Often times we would argue because I felt that he was being taken advantage of by people always asking him for his time, but he insisted he loved it and wanted to focus on others and not himself.
Addiction is a horrible, horrible thing and I thank God that my children always saw his love through it. Steve struggled to find rehab facilities that had room for him or that he could afford. It is such a hard thing to explain to children and I wish there was more education and awareness for everyone, but especially for loved ones. He may still be with us today if others were more aware and educated on addiction. Steve always said “Jesus loves you”, and people would chuckle or smile, but he meant it because he wanted everyone to know.
In memory of Steve Baer, and for my children Ava and Talin...Happy Valentines Day, Jesus loves you.

Christopher is pictured on the right with his brother. See also:  Brian McBride Morris.

Honest, loyal, loving and complicated is how Chris described himself.

Christopher had the heart of an artist and often expressed himself through his drawings and writings, which his friends described as "poetic".  

He was a man of faith and never wavered in that faith no matter how difficult things were. 

Brian is pictured on the left.
Brothers. See also: Christopher Lee Morris

Words that were used by others before his death to describe Brian.

An individual

Ability to use his individuality to lead others

Innocent smile

Brilliant mind

Genuine kindness

Ability of relating and communicating with others

Hard work ethic

Caring personality

Dedicated

Resilient

Loyal

Brian, oh, you are loved and so very missed everyday.

See also: Christopher Lee Morris

Andrew William Cohen passed away on December 21, 2017 at the young age of 26, from his ongoing battle with addiction. Born November 18, 1991, in New York City, he is survived by his parents, Kimberly Mixer-Coughlin and Brad Cohen, his Stepmother Kerry Durels, and his Stepfather Christopher Coughlin. He is also survived by his brothers, Max & Thomas Heiden, Brennan and Alec Coughlin, and Kyle Cohen, as well as his sisters, Niki Cohen and Elissa Coughlin and his surviving Grandparents, Charles Mixer and Martin and Annette Cohen.

Andrew grew up in Greenwich, CT and was a 2010 graduate of The Brunswick School. He will be remembered as an intellectual free spirit who left traces of his uniqueness in every person that he touched. His thirst for adventure and travel, love of music (notably his out-of-tune banjo), and zeal for defending those forgotten by society are only a few of the numerous ways in which his raw originality expressed itself.

Throughout his struggle, the intrinsic satisfaction he gained from helping others never waned. Andrew was an active volunteer at several non-profit organizations benefitting the homeless, abused, and displaced, including Food Not Bombs and Curry Without Worry. He helped so many people going through the same struggles.

Andrew was a firebrand whose passionate ideals grabbed one's attention immediately. He was not timid in expressing his views, and highly persuasive when doing so. He pushed boundaries, asked questions, and roused those around him not only to contemplation, but to action and change. His influence on others was felt in ways large and small. Whether convincing a friend to listen to a new genre of music for the first time, or making a fervent defense of the first amendment, his ability to leave a lasting impression was uncanny. As the editor of the Brunswick literary magazine, he challenged other students to think outside the box and beyond convention.

While a fierce defender of his own views, Andrew’s true allegiance was to equality, fairness, and a respect for the truth. The examples listed here are simply a few of the ways in which these noble and genuine beliefs manifested themselves.

His actions and convictions underscored the fact that, above all, Andrew was a supremely memorable one of a kind original.

Andrew now joins the growing list of sons, daughters, mothers & fathers who have been taken too soon by an epidemic sweeping our country and claiming over 60,000 lives each year.

Thanks for visiting.

I was with Chucky for 21 years. He was a great hockey player. One night while playing hockey he got smashed in the mouth with a hockey stick. He went to the dentist and started taking prescription OxyContin. That was the beginning of the end. So many years of ups and downs dealing with addiction. One night last August I found him in the bathroom of our home. It was too late to revive him. That site will forever be burned in my brain. It has been a horrible experience but it does not stop me from continuing my work as an addictions nurse. I pray for all the families and the people themselves struggling with this disease . God bless to all🙏

Destiny was a victim of human trafficking. She got addicted to drugs during this horrific time. She was found and went to treatment.
She tried so hard to stay clean and sober but succumbed to addiction. She will forever be 16 years old. February 09, 2020 was to be her 20th birthday. I wanted to honor her somehow besides just visiting her grave.
I will always love you Destiny and am still very proud of how hard you tried. Love, "Nani"

This is my son Joey. He had the biggest heart, he loved all of his family. He loved music, movies and video games. He was the most loyal person I know. He struggled with addiction for years, he was 29 when he passed. He also had a sister, Samantha, who also passed exactly 2years and 6 months to the day after him. They loved each so much. They relied on each other to be there for each other, and that was cut short. My life changed forever that day, and again when Samantha passed away. Please, if your kids are struggling, please get them help. See, I'm a recovering addict myself, and I couldn't help them. I love my kids very much, I hope no other mother has to experience this pain. May God be with you all.

Joey was a funny, intelligent young man whose life was cut short by his demons. He was 29 years old. Joey loved his family and would do anything for them. Joey was an addict who knew no way out. I tried to help him but I am also a recovering addict, so I could not help him. Joey also had a sister, Samantha, she too lost her battle with her demons. She was 27 years old, she died exactly 2 years and 6 months to the day after her brother. They were 5 years apart in age, but were extremely close, they relied on each other, then life happened. Please get your loved one help, you never know when that day will come.

The most amazing person I've ever met.

My husband Frank died at 37 of a cocaine overdose. He left behind a 12 year old boy and my 2 year old daughter. He was a retired NYPD officer and a navy veteran. He was smart, funny and good hearted. His addiction had a grip on his soul. He struggled with it many years on and off. I got the call that he was running around the pool in his apartment building holding the "Living Sober" book in his hand. The Doctor said that there was nothing they could do, that cocaine has to run it's course. He had a massive heart attack that left him brain dead and his organs shut down, he died 5 days later. I'm telling this story for the addict who still suffers. Thank you for letting me share Frank's story.

Such a Great Smile that we Love and Miss everyday......

Lauren was my firstborn daughter. She was the best baby any parent could wish for, such a smart child too! She excelled in everything she did, was full of confidence and life with a smile & personality to match. She was on the honor roll and on the academic team, always a straight A student. She was active in the youth group at our church and was in band and choir. Lauren was in an auto accident when she was 17 that resulted in a man losing his life. Although this accident was not her fault, she blamed herself and never got over it. We sent her to counseling, more than once. It didn't seem to help. Lauren leaves behind a sister, Kaitlyn, born on her sixth birthday, a step sister Tosha, her dad Tim, step dad Bob, grandmothers Nancy & Sue, and many friends and extended relatives. Lauren first became addicted to pills in high school and went to a 30 day rehab. I think it helped her but she relapsed soon after getting out. Her drug problem led to her being incarcerated for a probation violation. She went to a rehab while there for 5 of those months and worked at this rehab the last 2. She also went to 2 long term faith based rehabs (18 months each). I am so thankful for them, as they brought her closer to God than she ever was before. Lauren passed away on Christmas day at my mom's house from an accidental poisoning of fentanyl, at the age of 31. I still hear from her friends who were in rehab with her because they tell me Lauren helped them. She had a servant heart and wanted to help or save everyone. She never met a stranger. She had the biggest laugh, smile and personality. She is loved and missed every day.

Joel was born in England but we moved to California in 1995. As a child he was bright, gregarious, funny, and loved to learn and create. He was very close to his younger brother, Kai and they played Lego’s, playmobile, rode bikes and got up to all sorts of adventures together. At the age of 13, their father passed away and everything changed. Joel became more introverted and would spend hours in his room, creating raps and playing video games. By the age of 17 we realized that he was having serious problems. Over the next few years we tried everything to help him including several rehabs. Sadly, nothing seemed to work and each time he would return to his drug of choice, Heroin. On Jan 31, Joel and his girlfriend Xea were found dead in an Airbnb of a suspected overdose. Their struggle was over!

My son Adam was a longboarder, artist, musician whose smile lit up our world. Sweet heart, loving and kind. His addiction stole all of those things and ultimately took his life. His smile and joking, loving ways diminished as his addiction progressed. The day we lost our sweet Adam changed our lives. His story has impacted others and has been shared to groups of young people in our area. Time will not heal the hole in our hearts left by our beautiful Adam, but we are making sure that he is honored in all we do. His life and death is making a difference in addicts' lives.

Zane had such a big heart and always said his passion was to help people. He had such a beautiful smile and a sweet, scratchy voice that would melt your heart. He loved kids, but never had the chance to have his own, something he so dearly wanted in life. Zane loved the outdoors, hunting fishing, taking care of animals, he absolutely loved dogs and cats and livestock. Zane was a hard worker and took his job seriously until addiction got in the way. Less than two months after Zane lost his job, he lost his battle with addiction, fentanyl being the final blow. There was so much left for this loving 23 year old young man to do, but drugs took him far too soon. He will be forever loved and missed.

Joshua Eddie Plumley was 37 years old when he passed away. He left behind his 2 daughters and 2 sons. He was a loving and funny man who had a great sense of humor. He was a wonderful father and Son and he worked hard to provide for his family. He is missed very much everyday and still loved for who he was and what he stood for. He will be missed by me the rest of my life. He had a heart bigger than he was and he never met a stranger❤ I miss him more than words could ever explain.

Loving son and father forever to 36

Our son, Kevin, struggled with addiction to heroin for 11 years. Although he had periods of sobriety, he underestimated the power of his disease. He had a bright future ahead prior to his addiction. He graduated from college and had dreams of marriage, children and a promising career. He died alone in a motel room on 12/02/16 in Boynton Beach, FL. Our lives have never been the same. There is a hole left in our hearts that can only be filled by our son, Kevin.

Christopher was a straight A student and played baseball for South Shore Babe Ruth and Our Lady Star of the Sea. They called him, “Hurricane Chris”. He was a smart, happy, loving child who gave the best hugs ever.
My nephew got into a minor car accident at 18 years old. A doctor prescribed him opiates for pain. He became addicted to the opiates in two weeks. After struggling with his addiction in and out of Rehabs and many detox he died of an overdose at 22 years old. A week before he died he told his mother that it was like there was a demon inside him and that he didn’t want to live like this anymore. He said that he told God to please take him.
His mother, my sister and my parents, his grandparents, tried so hard to get him into a program to help him. There was red tape and people who just didn’t care who turned him away. The stigma was hanging over our heads. After his passing we opened, ”Christopher’s Reason" in his memory. An outpatient drug facility that would never turn anyone away. A safe place full of hugs and no judgement.
Christopher, gone too soon, but always in our hearts.