LIMA, Ohio – Real talk. Real facts — This was the theme of the first annual community gathering organized by the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs, or APALD. For Americans aged 18 to 45, illegal drug use is the leading cause of death. Diane Urban, the founder of APALD, takes the event very personally. After her son, Jordan, died from fentanyl poisoning in 2019, Urban wants to raise awareness about the support resources available to those struggling with addiction.
“We have 12 different organizations out here with the resources they provide to come together as a community to try and figure out better ways to help each other, get the word out, and end the stigma, because stigma is a big deal. “People don’t want to talk about it, but drug deaths do occur,” says Diane Urban, APALD’s founder.
Vice President JD Vance’s mother, Beverly Vance Aikins, was the keynote speaker to inspire people to overcome addiction. Aikins shared her story of battling drug addiction, which was also published in Vice President Vance’s 2016 memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
“I actually had to give up everything to get clean. I felt like a low-level drug addict. My family didn’t speak to me. I hope no one has to get to that point to get clean and sober, but for this drug addict, it was necessary,” says Beverly Vance Aikins, mother of Vice President JD Vance, who overcame drug addiction.
Aikins was addicted to Vicodin, pain pills, morphine, and heroin. She lost her nursing license, became homeless, and had suicidal thoughts. After years of torment, Aikins decided to seek assistance.
“It was extremely frightening, and I wanted to die. I prayed to God to let me sleep and not wake up. “I went into treatment, and my prayers began to change, and my life improved,” says Vance Aikins.
And today, Aikins is extremely grateful for taking the first step toward reclaiming her life.
“If you are suffering from addiction, recovery is possible. I am extremely grateful and blessed, and I know it would not be possible without the love of my family. Vance Aikins says, “If I made a list of everything I wanted out of recovery, what I have now would not do it justice.”
