19 mars, 2008 21:02
Painkiller abuse claims life of Erwin High student
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and Mike McWilliams
March 19, 2008 12:15 am
Will Chapman had worried for his oldest son and had been asking family and friends if they would help him get the teenager’s attention and turn his life around.
The intervention group just didn’t come together in time, Chapman said Tuesday night as he gathered thoughts on what he will say to Matthew Chapman’s Erwin High classmates at a memorial service today.
Matthew Chapman died in his sleep some time early Sunday morning. The 17-year-old had stolen patches of the powerful painkiller fentanyl and placed one on each arm earlier in the day.
"My son had no idea what he was dealing with," Chapman said. "It’s got to be told. Other teenagers don’t need to be doing this."
Emergency department physicians nationwide have been reporting a surge in deaths related to abuse of fentanyl, a drug 50 times more potent than heroin when taken intravenously, the federal Centers for Disease Control said in a 2007 report.
Federal agencies alarmed at the rise in the drug’s abuse through stolen patches also have reported increases in fentanyl-related deaths.
Chapman said he has been learning about the dangers of prescription drug abuse in the time since his son’s death. He had two boys.
Well-liked child
Matthew Chapman started having troubles last year, his sophomore year at Erwin, where he played center and defensive tackle on the football team.
The trouble started with a marijuana arrest, Chapman said.
"He started making bad choices — and it doesn’t take long," he said. "I just couldn’t reach him."
Chapman said he wants parents to hear his message of bringing a sense of urgency in trying to help teenage children having troubles. He also wants to warn other students of the dangers of prescription and other drug abuse.
The memorial service today was for all students, Buncombe County Schools spokesman Stan Alleyne said. About 1,300 students are enrolled at Erwin.
Chris Brookshire, Erwin’s head football coach through this last season, described Chapman as a fun-loving kid who sought the approval of the adults around him all the time.
Chapman was well liked by his other teammates and his death, "broke my heart," Brookshire said.
Loved the game
Matthew Chapman lived to play football, his father said. Despite recent troubles, he had been a well-liked teen.
"Matthew was a great kid. He loved everybody," Will Chapman said.
The Erwin football team put on their jerseys today and attended the memorial service together.
The school also gave Chapman’s jerseys to his family.
"Matt was one that always wanted to do his best on the field," Sexton said. "He fought hard for us. He had some good games, and he affected the outcome of a lot of our games this year, and I’ll never forget him."
