State of Addiction: Mother turns grief of son's loss into action with Coalition RX

Omaha mother Stephanie Schroeder lost her son to an opioid overdose. Now she is working to help connect Omaha youth with local police before they even think of trying drugs."It's just not something any parent should have to do, bury their own child," Schroeder said. It's been seven years since her son Andrew died from an accidental opioid overdose."He died 10 days before his 18th birthday," said Schroeder. "He was a great kid, super smart, was at UNO (University of Nebraska Omaha) on a full academic scholarship, had lots of friends. He was the life of the party."Now, Schroeder is a member of Coalition RX: an organization that fights opioid use. They've partnered with first responders for Operation N.E.T.S., donating sports equipment. Schroeder put a box in her office at Better Homes and Garden. "Within four hours, we had raised enough money to donate 44 balls and 11 nets," Schroeder said.Those balls and nets will be given to officers, deputies and firefighters to hand out to kids in the community to help build a relationship between them and first responders."It breaks down the barriers between us and these kids, that they can come to realize that they can talk to us and we can have some positive interaction with them," said Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning."It seems like a long way between abusing drugs and using balls to connect the community with our law enforcement officials, but sometimes you have to look at the big picture," said Schroeder.That picture believes engaging the community can help prevent further tragedy. To donate to Operation N.E.T.S. or to set up a donation box at a place of business or organization, call (402) 552-2221.