My 21-year-old daughter died of a drug overdose and watching Euphoria feels the pain of living with an addict

A GRIEVING mother who lost her daughter to a drug overdose during the pandemic says HBO’s hit TV show Euphoria and its graphic depictions of drug use are “caused” and “disturbing”. “.

Sherry Jo Matt, 57, told The Sun she fears the Zendaya-led series, which follows a group of misguided and criminal high school students, might fascinate younger audiences.

5

5

Sherry lost her 21-year-old daughter, Siena Bottdue to an accidental overdose in September 2020 after she took a fake Percocet pill laced with a fatal dose of fentanyl.

The A-grader, who had been courted by several Ivy League schools, was found dead in her family’s home in an affluent suburb of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, after a years-long battle with evidence. addicted.

Sherry, who through her Stop the Judgment Project is trying to end the stigma surrounding addiction, says she fears Excitement can encourage America’s impressive youth to use drugs, potentially leading them down the same dark path as Siena did.

“Watching this show really broke my heart,” Sherry said. “It opens up all the wounds of losing Siena again.

“But it was almost like a car crash; I couldn’t look away even though it was painful for me to witness it.”

MEDICINE?

For teenagers and younger audiences, Sherry said she believes Euphoria celebrates drugs and masks the dark reality of addiction with captivating lighting and charismatic cinematography.

But at the same time, Sherry said for older audiences and parents, the show can be really educational, calling it “the most accurate depiction of life with a drug addict” without she used to see.

“I think for the kids, the show – with its nice lighting and nice camera angles – is attracting drug use.

“These children we see on screen also lack a moral compass or a sense of conscience. They seem to have no thought beyond today, or any understanding or interest in their actions. how they might affect them or their families later in life.

“I think that could have a terrible effect on the kids who watch this movie … and I don’t think they realize it.”

Using her own daughter as an example, Sherry said that Siena is alive today to see Happinessshe’ll probably be “infatuated” with the characters who lead the most adventurous lifestyles or who seem the most fun.

“The show and its messages had a big impact on me because of what happened to Siena,” Sherry said.

“But I think she would pay more attention to the clothes, the manners of these children, what they drank and how they acted – than the messages.

“For adults, it makes sense when you analyze what’s going on on the screen, but a lot of teenagers who watch this show won’t do the same,” she added.

“Their brains are not fully developed yet.”

Criteria for BUTTONS

Sherry’s comment somewhat echoes a statement made by the Drug Abuse Education (DARE) Program. last monthwho accused Euphoria showrunner Sam Levison of drug glorification and drug addiction.

“Instead of every parent’s desire to keep their children safe from the potentially dire consequences of drug abuse and other high-risk behaviors, our drama HBO, ‘Euphoria,’ chooses to glorify and misrepresent high school student drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, violence, and other destructive behaviors that are pervasive and pervasive in the world world today,” DARE said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, HBO, social media, TV show critics and paid advertising chose to view the show as ‘groundbreaking’, rather than recognize the potential negative consequences. for school-age children, who today face unparalleled mental health risks and challenges,” the statement continued.

Adam Jablin, a certified life coach and recovered addict, expressed similar concerns in an earlier interview with The Sun.

“In almost every scene, they’re either taking drugs or drinking,” he said. “It shows certain characters going through hard times and their coping mechanism is drugs.”

“Performance can be damaging in a way [by] show children that drugs can be an outlet for their problems.

“[I also] think the show can encourage teenagers to try drugs because it fascinates them, and when the kids enjoy the show, they show it through sparkles and sparkles. “

Take a more diplomatic line, Sarah O’Brien, a detox specialist at Ark Behavioral Healthsaid that while many believe the show is “charming” teen drug use, it also draws attention to the growing prevalence of substance abuse among teens in the United States. America.

“Shows like Euphoria O’Brien said it may reflect a growing culture of adolescents and young adults with drug-seeking behavior.

“While the show portrays some aspects of drug use that might be considered ‘fascinating’, it also shows the ugly side of addiction: damaged relationships, use overdose, mental health and wellness struggles diminish.”

‘ALL PARENTS SHOULD SEE’

To some extent, Sherry agrees with O’Brien’s stance on Euphoria, saying that sometimes the images on the screen are almost identical to some of the interactions she’s shared. Siena in previous months her death.

One scene in particular that resonated with Sherry was in the second season when Zendaya’s character Rue fights and screams at her mother for disposing of the drug store while she was sleeping.

“Siena came home from a party one night and something was wrong with her, so when she went to bed I went through all of her things and found these pills hidden. in her wallet.

“I didn’t know what they were but I just threw them out. The next morning, she became bewildered when she couldn’t find them.

“She was kicking and screaming, and saying all these hurtful things.

“It was exactly like the scene from the show. She said to me, ‘I know you hate me but I hate me too,’ which is pretty much what Rue said verbatim.”

The show’s realism, while sometimes “hurtful” for her, can help other parents spot “red flags” in their children’s behavior before it’s too late, Sherry said. , Sherry said.

“I think every parent should watch this show,” she said, “because although it’s horrifying, it shows you exactly what it’s like to live with a drug-addicted kid.”

“Even if your kids don’t behave like that, I bet they know someone.

“And spotting those warning signs can be a matter of life or death.”

To learn more about Sherry and Siena’s story, click here.

5

5

5