Drug overdoses occur among teenagers; new recovery center opens for assistance

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – More than 1,900 people died from drug overdoses in Colorado last year, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A new recovery center in Colorado Springs wants to help lower the numbers. One of the coaches, Allison Parsaye, is the youngest there.

“If I continue on that path, I will die,” Parsaye said.

Parsaye was 15 years old when she came into contact with drugs. When she turned 16, she was using Fentanyl. Human trafficking and sex trafficking posed a threat to her safety.

She says getting drugs was very accessible, especially if you’re homeless.

“People will do anything to get their next dollar, whether you’re 13 or 19,” Parsaye said.

She says she has overdosed five times. She was only 16 years old.

“I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel any pain. It was slowly killing me,” Parsaye said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration says drugs currently have a more acute effect than older people.

Jonathan Pullen is the special agent in charge of the DEA. He says drugs, especially Fentanyl, are too accessible to teens.

“Kids can go on social media sites and find people selling pills. They can meet that person at the mall or be sent home,” Pullen said.

Parsaye, along with her mother, now mentors others who may be struggling with drug addiction at the Silver Linings Recovery Center.

“They come in wrestling,” Parsaye said.

She says a little guidance can save people from drug addiction.

“When you see that medicine in front of you, just say no,” Parsaye said.

The DEA asks parents to educate themselves first. You can find
Learn more about drug overdose and fentanyl HERE

____

Watch KOAA News5 whenever you want, with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5download and start watching.