This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

How Heroin Affected One Family — And an Invite to Give Back

Please join us as we officially launch the LTM Heroin Awareness and Support Foundation 7 p.m. Saturday at Stardust Bowl in Addison. The foundation was established by Louie Miceli's family in the wake of his 2012 death. Our mission is to bring awareness to the devastating effects of Heroin. Money raised at the event will be used to secure speaking venues and support the rehabilitation of Heroin Addicts who are dedicated to recovery. We'd love to see you there! Pre-register and lock in your lane assignment here. See a letter from Louie's mom below. 


A Letter from Louie’s Mom: 


Louie Theodore Miceli was born on January 5, 1988. He was such a beautiful baby and young little man. He always seemed beyond his years—very curious, intuitive, and stubborn. My son was also so family-centered and truly valued those relationships as most important in his life—focusing most of his energy on enjoying life with us to the fullest.

He was overly passionate about many things; sports, community, justice, and GIRLS. He was a classic Italian boy. What I knew was so special and unique about my son was that Louie always felt the need to protect the ones he loved. He would take on any threat, forgetting his own personal capacity to defend the people he cared about. I was sometimes afraid of his boldness, but I was so proud of my son, The Protector.

As he grew older, my son loved his high school years. He seemed to be typical when it came to socializing with his State Championship football team. He drank at parties, smoked marijuana on the weekends, and he was always looking to have fun. I was concerned, but not alarmed. After all, he was surrounded by good people who loved him and who he loved.

As Louie’s drug use progressed, he soon started using opiate pills and then heroin. What seemed to be “normal partying” turned into a full-blown addiction- quickly. It turned my outgoing, strong-willed, happy boy into the opposite. On August 7, 2012, at the age of 24, my son overdosed on heroin. My life was destroyed, shattered, and forever changed. I feel robbed of seeing my son’s life. I hate this drug and what is stole from me. Louie did go to rehab twice, and I was so proud of him for that. The last rehab provides me with peace about his passing, the only peace I have: my son loved Jesus Christ. I know he is with the only One that loves him more than I do.

This doesn’t change the fact that my son has lost his life to a horrible disease. Still I am shocked, frustrated, angry, and confused as to how this could have happened. As a mother, I cannot watch another family suffer this tragedy. And my son, The Protector, would want his family to do something about this crisis that is destroying so many lives.

I want Louie’s story to be heard. In doing so, maybe we can save a life. Because the reality is, there is something evil infiltrating our communities, our schools, and our homes. My son is one of many whom have lost their battle with heroin. In Louie’s honor, my family and I have founded the LTM Heroin Awareness and Support Foundation.

The mission of this foundation is to educate the public on the devastating affects of heroin, prevent the use of heroin, and support all those affected by this disease.

I am proud to honor Louie’s memory by helping protect other families from the devastating effects of Heroin through education and support. I know this what my son—The Protector—would have wanted.

Thank you,
Felicia Miceli

Follow us on Facebook here.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?