Melanie was a funny, outgoing, and charismatic person. She was a cheerleader from the age of 5, and she loved fashion and dancing. After Melanie passed away from a fentanyl overdose in 2021, her sister Amy and her mother Susan connected with other people who've lost loved ones to substance use disorder (SUD). Through these conversations, they learned that SUD is an illness that can impact anyone, regardless of their age or circumstance.

Now, Amy and Susan both hope to educate others. As Amy says, "I just wish that people would realize that that's someone's child, that’s someone's sister, that that's a human being." It's important for us to show care and empathy to people around us, no matter the circumstances.

If you are looking to support a family member with SUD, take a look at samhsa.gov/families