CLEVELAND – Cathy Lawley of Willoughby Hills said her life changed forever after she lost her 31-year-old son, Michael Biellow, to drugs on March 23, 2020.
Lawley issued a warning to all parents after Cuyahoga County reported an increase in drug-related deaths, urging them to sit down and talk to their children or loved ones about the dangers of seeking a quick maximum.
“I have now undergone a paradigm shift, this is no longer a heroin overdose and I want to emphasize this,” Lawley said.
“He was unknowingly given fentanyl and carfentanyl, fentanyl is a tranquilizer for elephants.”
“It is possible for your children to go out because they have an addiction problem, but they can also be at a party with other people and talk about how they can get up once.
“These are not overdoses, these are children who think they will get something and will not get something, they die.”
Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson issued a public health alert on April 6, saying Cuyahoga County had suffered at least 69 suspected overdose deaths in March.
Gilson told News 5 that if deaths continue at this rate, Cuyahoga County could once again see more than 700 overdose deaths. The last time Cuyahoga County suffered more than 700 deaths was in 2017. In addition, 13 overdose deaths occurred in the first five days of April.
A significant part of the deaths is attributed to fentanyl and carfentanil
Local agencies, such as the ADAMHS Council in Cuyahoga County, and the MetroHealth System Opioid Safety Office, said the alarming rise in drug-related deaths is prompting families to seek resources.
Beth Zietlow-DeJesus, ADAMHS director of foreign affairs, told News 5 that families should watch for signs of drug use and addiction.
“These are not statistics, they are human beings, they are brothers, sisters, parents, children,” said Zietlow-DeJesus. “When there is a group, as we see it now, it only destroys us.”
“A person living with a substance use disorder has a chronic brain disease, needs medical treatment, counseling and care to improve.”
“Look for secret behaviors, being very defensive, irritable and angry.”
Kelly Cioletti, Social Assistance Coordinator for the Office of Opioid Safety in the MetroHealth System, said the News 5 information is available, along with her Enrollment Information Unit, located on West 25th Street in Cleveland, across from the MetroHealth Outpatient Pavilion. Cioletti said Narcan kits and free Fentanyl test strips are available Monday through Friday through his Project DAWN program.
“We are available, literally 24/7,” Cioletti said. “You don’t need an ID, you don’t have to use it, you can be a family member or a friend.”
“Before, everyone thought it was a drug inside the city and it just isn’t.”
“It’s alarming, it’s scary, you feel for the families who take care of it, and unfortunately you have to bury a loved one.”
Meanwhile, Lawley helped form the “APALD,” which represents the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs. Lawley said the organization will hold a rally for change on June 4 in 30 cities across the county, raising awareness and advocating for legislative change in the war on synthetic drugs, which the CDC reported killed 81,000 in 2020.
Lawley said she does everything she can in honor of her son as a way to help families save loved ones.
“I would tell him that I love you more than you will ever know and I hold you in my heart every day and I am your voice,” Lawley said.
“I know he would like me to go ahead and still try and just keep quiet until my voice is heard.”