Dear Robby,

How has a year passed by without you? I guess it doesn’t feel like an entire year because I really haven’t been without you at all. I still talk to you, feel your presence and see you everywhere. When I pray, I pray that you have met Chris’ dad and that he is guiding you and that you walk together, laughing and telling stories about us on Earth. When I’m really having a bad day or missing you guys, all I have to say is, “Robby and Ronnie, I really need your help.” And an instant peace will come over me. Then a memory will enter my head, something funny that makes me laugh out loud. For instance, I will remember you being a total goofball and doing anything just to get a smile out of me. And instantly you are there, wherever I am, I feel you next to me. I am so grateful for the time we had together. You are the only close friend I have ever lost. However, I want you to know that I will never say goodbye.

I love you and I miss you everyday,

Katie

Dear Dr. Kolodny, 

We are writing to you because our only son, Robert George Andrew, died of an opiate overdose on June 2, 2013, two days after finishing the drug abuse treatment program at Phoenix House in Exeter, RI. Our son Robby was handsome, smart, charming, funny, loving and loyal. He should have had a very bright future and a wonderful life. If an inexpensive, easy-to-use naloxone kit had been provided for our son when he left Phoenix House, Robby might still be alive today. Please take a look at Robby’s memorial website and try to imagine our loss. This letter is posted there. http://www.forevermissed.com/robby-george-andrew 

When you were the Director for Special Projects for the New York City Department of Health, you saved many lives by implementing a naloxone overdose prevention program. Now that you are the Chief Medical Officer of Phoenix House, we hope that you will implement a naloxone overdose prevention program for everyone who seeks treatment at the 123 Phoenix Houses for which you are responsible. By building on the success of your New York City program, you could create a lifesaving legacy and profoundly transform the outcome of drug abuse treatment at Phoenix House and beyond. 

Thousands of teenagers and young adults, who in previous generations would never have become addicts, are being given opioid painkillers for sports injuries or wisdom teeth extraction, only to become hopelessly addicted. Young people who successfully complete drug treatment in rehab or prison are at high risk for deadly overdose once they are released. Providing naloxone overdose prevention kits to these recovering addicts can make the critical difference between life and death. A dead addict cannot be rehabilitated; only a living addict has the chance to fully recover from addiction. Robby will never have that chance. But others could have it.   

Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI, 30 miles from the Phoenix House in Exeter, does have an overdose prevention program: Preventing Overdose and Naloxone Intervention (PONI).  This program is in partnership with many organizations that help addicts. It should be in partnership with the Phoenix House in Exeter. A naloxone kit distributed by PONI costs around $15.00 and can reverse five overdose events. 

You have shown exceptional leadership as the president of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing. We support your courageous effort to change the labeling require- ments for painkillers which will help reduce opioid abuse and overdose. In addition to this important cause, we hope you will consider the tremendous good you could do if you build on the success of your New York City naloxone overdose prevention program and champion naloxone overdose prevention kits for Phoenix House. Think of the countless lives you could save. 

Respectfully yours, 

Theresa and George Andrew 

    I remember back when we had the big king size trampoline in our backyard and we had a family party for who knows which birthday. All of us kids, Sarah, Emily, Maureen, Robby, and I (the littlest and most forgotten) were all jumping on the trampoline and i loved tickle fights back then so i pocked the girls and they clearly weren't interested. So i bounced over to where Robby was and drove my finger into his rib cage, tickling him, as he showed his cute, fun smile laughing and chuckling. His laugh and smile always made me smile and laugh. It was one of those where you couldn't help but laugh too. So anyway, i kept pocking him and he never once said stop or "EILEEN YOUR ANNOYING STOP" like other people sometimes did, he just kept laughing and trying to fight back poking me. I will never forget that smille and squinted laughing eyes Robby had that night back when we were all so little. I miss you Robby, not a day goes by that i somehow don't think about you and your affect on me. You always understand me, i love you.
Love, Eileen