‘Don’t give up’: mother shares story of loss ahead of overdose awareness day

With International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) around the corner, many are taking time to reflect on ways they have been personally touched by the issue.

CHCH News had the opportunity to meet with Angela Telford, a mother who has been without a daughter for three years because of an overdose.

Crystal Dawn Fraser passed away in 2021 after a long battle with addiction.

“Before addiction she was happy and healthy, always smiling, always laughing, always buying people gifts,” Telford said.

According to her mother, Fraser was molested at a young age, and was introduced to drugs and alcohol in order for her abuser to perpetuate the acts.

Telford says Fraser struggled with depression following her abuse, eventually turning to drugs to numb the pain.

As Fraser continued down the path of addiction, she fell into homelessness, and eventually ended up in jail.

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Telford told CHCH News she tried to help her daughter, but at times it was difficult.

“She threatened to kill me, and she assaulted me,” Telford said.

“So I did step away. I planned to go back, and then I found out that she was dead. So, it was too late.”

Now, Telford wants to help erase the stigma attached to addiction and homelessness.

“The public always having that stigma against drug addicts…they don’t need our criticism or sarcasm, or calling them names or anything like that,” she said. “They actually need people to jump in and help them.”

So far this year, Hamilton police have responded to around 450 incidents related to suspected opioid overdoses. Niagara police have responded to even more.

In honour of IOAD, Telford is encouraging people not to give up on those around them experiencing addiction. Similarly, she’s empowering those dealing with it themselves to keep going.

This year’s IOAD theme is “together we can,” and is taking place on Aug. 31.

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