STUART, Fla. -- It’s claiming more lives and turning more people into addicts.
Law enforcement agencies in our area, including West Palm Beach Police, Delray Beach Police, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and Port St. Lucie Police are reporting more heroin overdoses, and finding more heroin in drug busts.
A Stuart family is grieving the loss of their son, who they say died following an overdose last week.
Now, Mark Jensen is hoping anyone else considering using the drug, or already using it, will stop contributing to the rise in drug use.
Jensen’s son, Mark Wayne Jensen Jr., was just 32-years-old, when Jensen says he was found unresponsive in a Port St. Lucie home with needles nearby.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital after Jensen says his son lost brain activity.
“He was my best friend,” Jensen said.
Jensen says his son started using heroin when he was just 15 years old. “I said ‘you keep doing this, you’re going to die’,” Jensen said.
But, the drug is so addictive, Jensen said his son just couldn’t get clean. “I took him to detox, I don’t know, about six times I’d say.” Jensen said he tried everything he could to help his son.
After his son’s death, Jensen said he learned he’s not alone. “I’ve had about 25 to 50 parents texting me saying they’re going through the same thing. The nurse in the hospital said, ‘yeah my son is going through the same thing’,” Jensen said.
Jensen says his son’s memorial service will be Sunday, March 6 at Shepard’s Park where he also wants to raise money to help pay for other addicts to get treatment.