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One Pill, One Time, No Second Chances

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One Pill, One Time, No Second Chances

Cole Ryan Smoot was a typical 16 year old sophomore at Tecumseh High School in New Carlisle, Ohio. He was extremely bright and enrolled in honors classes, although he liked to ??skate by?? doing the least little bit required to still maintain his place on the honor roll. He was a wrestler who was in love with his sport, and an active member of the Junior Air Force Reserve Officer Training Cadet (ROTC) program for the second year. He was a great friend to many, protector of the innocent, an amazing older brother, and a loving son.

Cole was an adventurous child who was continually in search of the next big adventure. While some of his more creative feats landed him in the emergency room, they all led to lasting memories that evoke a smile when retold. He had a spunk and zest for life that was evident in the twinkle in his eyes and the impish grin continually plastered on his face. His personality was larger than his 5??4?? body could contain.

On February 12, 2011, Cole decided to join his friends in what would be his last adventure. That evening, Cole, for the first and last time, decided to take a prescription drug that was not his. When displaying symptoms of drug ingestion, his parents took him to the emergency room where he was tested, evaluated, and released. A few short hours later, Cole was found dead, lying in his bed. He had stopped breathing sometime during the night. Cole took Methadone, and just one pill killed him. One bad decision ended his life.
Cole was not alone though in this adventure. The friend who gave him the pill also made a bad decision. While many say he is lucky when compared to Cole, he has a much more difficult road to travel, he has to live. He has to live with the knowledge of his role in Cole??s death. He has to live with a lifetime of regret and ??what ifs??. His future is still before him, but it is a much different one than previously imagined.

The story does not end there. What about the friends that knew Cole had the prescription pills? As many as twenty teens knew the drugs were in the school and being distributed the day before they got into Cole??s hands. Many of his own friends knew Cole had them. Not one person told a trusted adult who could have easily prevented this tragedy. They are the victims of being an ??innocent bystander?? who thought someone else should tell someone. Many have since confessed to being afraid of losing his friendship, but little did they know their loss would be so much more than they ever dreamed. Innocence was lost that night. A friend was lost that night. A community became heartbroken, and a family is shattered.

Cole thought he was bullet proof. He thought he was immune from the dangers and consequences of taking drugs. This tragedy all comes down to one bad choice, one bad decision. Cole got the easy way out; it is his family and friends that must live with his decision for life. It is their burden to bear and their hearts that are crushed. He is not the one who has to face a future without a son, without a brother. Cole does not have to live with the fallout of his choice, his friends do. He does not have to live with the knowledge of the high price that was paid due to his bad decision and everyone??s silence.



Partners for Hope raise critical funds on behalf Partnership to End Addiction – the nation’s leading organization dedicated to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. Every dollar raised on behalf of the Partnership* will help ensure free, personalized family support resources, including our national helpline, peer-to-peer parent coaching, customized online tools and community education programs, can reach those who need them most. Please consider donating to this fundraiser and sharing this page.

*Donations made to Partnership to End Addiction are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. All contributions are fully tax-deductible, as no goods or services are provided in consideration in whole, or in part, of any contribution to this nonprofit organization.  EIN: 52-1736502

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Comments

1. Julie
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I'm so sorry for your loss.