Article updated to reflect event coverage.
A Tucson mom lost her son to a drug overdose three years ago, but she is using her experience to help others who may be dealing with something similar.
“I loved him with all my heart, but addiction was not pretty,” Naomi Vega said.
Vega lost her son, Jesus Gutierrez, to a drug overdose at the age of 29 after a long battle with addiction and mental health issues.
She explained how difficult it can be for families and said people with drug problems are not given the dignity they deserve.
Vega said there were a lot of comments online and on social media made about her son’s death.
“There were a lot of comments. ‘Good riddance. He was worthless. One less person off the street.’ And I was appalled, because he was my son,” Vega said.
However, that is not that way she wants him to be remembered. She said he always had a big smile on his face.
“He gave the greatest bear hugs and he would always tell people ‘don’t worry, things will get better.’ That’s what I want people to remember him by,” Vega said.
To help keep his memory alive, she created the Enlightening Hope Project.
“The purpose was to help families understand that you’re welcome to grieve openly and talk about your loved one, the good and the bad,” Vega said. “We’re here to listen to you, we’re here to talk to you.”
On Sunday, Aug 27, Enlightening Hope Project—in partnership with Hope Incorporated—is hosting the third annual overdose awareness event at 1200 N. Country Club Rd.
“Hope is a peer and family run organization which just means everyone at our organization identifies either as a peer or a family member of somebody who has struggled, so that’s really important when we provide our services,” Hope Inc. Regional Manager of Community Programs, Chris Chavez said.
The event is free and open to the public and will include guest speakers, law enforcement agencies, and support. Agencies in attendance include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriff's Office, Pima County Attorney’s Office and Whetstone Fire Department.
“We can’t do it one-by-one, the agencies can’t do it alone, law enforcement can’t do it alone, families can’t do it alone; but we can do it together,” Vega said.
Chavez included a piece of advice, “If you are considering treatment or you’re thinking treatment is an option for you, educate yourself on it, do it, make it an option, make yourself willing to at least try.”
2023 International Overdose Awareness Day
- Sunday, Aug. 27 | 3 - 7 p.m.
- 1200 N. Country Club Rd.
- Event website
Additional details for the event can be found at the Enlightening Hope Project website.
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Madison Thomas joined KGUN 9 in July of 2023 as a multimedia journalist. She graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2023 with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She has lived in Arizona her entire life and grew up in Douglas. Madison is thrilled to share the stories from the community she grew up in. Share your story ideas and important issues with Madison by emailing madison.thomas@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
