Bridgeport mother honors daughter’s opioid death by distributing Narcan, raising awareness
It's been more than two years since Iris Seda lost her daughter, 22-year-old Anna Sepulveda, to a fentanyl overdose.
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A Bridgeport mother has been honoring her daughter’s overdose death by distributing Narcan and bringing awareness to an epidemic.
It's been more than two years since Iris Seda lost her daughter, 22-year-old Anna Caridad Sepulveda, to a fentanyl overdose.
"It has been the biggest impact in my motherly heart, in my spiritual heart, in my whole being," said Seda.
She says Sepulveda developed an opioid addiction after being hit by a car a few months before her death.
"There hasn't been a single day yet that I have not cried over my daughter's death,” said Seda.
The heartbroken mother said the addiction eventually led her daughter to the streets, where she bought pills that turned out to have been laced with fentanyl.
Seda is now hitting the same streets, telling her daughter’s story and passing out Narcan as part of a nonprofit she created called Caridad's Opioid Preventable Epidemic (COPE).
John Hamilton is the president of Liberation Programs, a Bridgeport nonprofit that works to treat and prevent addiction.
He says while Liberation, with help from Seda, is distributing more Narcan than ever, the potency of the fentanyl pouring into the city is increasing, leading to a higher percentage of overall deaths from overdoses.
"It's not surprising to us because all we're finding now, we have a drug analyzing machine for people coming in with their samples, it's all fentanyl," said Hamilton.
Seda says fighting the problem one step at a time eases the pain of her loss.
"I think Iris is sending out a very helpful message to people that there is hope out there," said Hamilton.
Seda said she knows many parents will end up with their kids pictured on Connecticut's fentanyl overdose memorial.
"It is definitely an epidemic," said Seda.
Help is available 24/7 through COPE by calling 203-617-7669 and 475-325-8838.
People can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
