Video Shows Ohio Father Telling Son, 'Mommy Died Last Night — From Drugs'

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — Brenden Bickerstaff-Clark, a recovering addict in Ohio, had to inform his 8-year-old son that his mother had died of a heroin overdose. Bickerstaff-Clark decided that recording the heartbreaking moment might inspire those struggling with addiction to get help.

Bickerstaff-Clark posted the 2-minute video on his Facebook page, and so far, the video has been viewed 27 million times with 649,000 shares. Undoubtedly, a message is being received.

However, of the 243,000 comments on his Facebook page, people are split on whether posting the video publicly was the right thing to do.

In the video, Brenden Bickerstaff-Clark holds his son’s hands and says, “I have something to tell you, OK? Mommy died last night.”

The little boy says, “What? What do you mean?”

Bickerstaff-Clark says, “From drugs,” and then his son begins crying. He tries to comfort his son, hugging him and saying, “I’m sorry” and “I love you.”

Bickerstaff-Clark left the following message on his Facebook page along with the video:

THIS FOR ANY AND EVERY ADDICT WITH CHILDREN. TODAY I HAD TO TELL MY 8 YEAR OLD SON THAT HIS MOMMY DIED FROM A DRUG OVERDOSE LAST NIGHT. THIS IS THE REALIZATION AND REALITY OF OUR DISEASE. DONT LET THIS DISEASE HAVE TO MAKE SOMEONE TELL YOUR CHILD THAT YOUR DEAD BECAUSE OF DRUGS. THIS WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS IVE EVER HAD TO DO. MY SON HAS NO MOTHER BECAUSE OF HEROIN... KINDA HARD TO HEAR BUT U CAN HEAR WHAT WE'RE SAYING.
PLEASE GET HELP SO OUR CHILDREN DONT HAVE TO SUFFER. THIS WASNT STAGED. THIS WAS REAL. I HAD SOMEONE RECORD THIS SO ADDICTS WITH CHILDREN CAN SEE THE SERIOUSNES OF OUR EPIDEMIC. I AM A RECOVERING ADDICT MYSELF WITH 94 DAYS CLEAN TODAY... PLEASE SHARE N MAYBE HELP SAVE A CHILDS PARENTS LIFE.
#wedorecover
#godblesstheoneswhocouldnt

The heroin epidemic is worsening nationwide, with heroin-related overdoses having almost quadrupled over the last decade in the U.S.

Bickerstaff-Clark's video can be seen on his Facebook page.

See also:

• New Report Calls Ohio the 'Face of the Nation's Opioid Epidemic'
• 20 Indicted in Multi-State Narcotics Ring that Allegedly Brought Drugs Into Greater Cleveland
• ‘Crazy Dangerous’ Elephant Tranquilizer, Heroin Cocktail Sweeps Nation
• Rep. Antonio says state can, should do more to combat statewide opioid emergency
• Solon Police Stop Shoplifters, Uncover Heroin on Suspects

Photo by Psychonaught (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons