Heroin Abuse Spreads its Damage Far and Wide in Griffen Kramer’s Death

Griffen Kramer’s heroin overdose in October 2011 broke many more hearts than just those of his immediate family. Dozens of people in at least ten families must struggle with the aftermath of his overdose.


It’s the call no parent ever wants to get: “Your child has died of a drug overdose.” In October 2011, this was the call received by Erik Kramer, the former quarterback for the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. The victim was his son Griffen, dead from a heroin overdose.

Griffen was out partying with friends the night of October 30th. They stopped by the side of the road and Griffen shot up with heroin. When he began foaming at the mouth, the friend who was driving pulled him into the car and drove around the Los Angeles area, trying to find someone who would let him drop the sick boy off. In the end, the friend dragged the young man into his own home and left him to “sleep off” the problem. But instead, Griffen soon died.

Evidence from Family on Drug and Alcohol Abuse

There is some evidence that Griffen’s family may have been aware of substance abuse problems before the death. According to one report, the Kramer family originally thought that Griffen might have died from alcohol poisoning. But when the toxicology reports came in nearly two months later, the drug that killed Griffen was confirmed to be heroin.

As quoted in the Ventura County Star, Griffen’s younger brother Dillon stated at the funeral that "Despite the drugs and alcohol, I still love him."

Repercussions of Heroin Abuse Stretch Far Beyond Griffen’s Death

Naturally enough, a thorough police investigation followed the boy’s death. In the end, nine people were arrested for their involvement, including David Nernberg, the friend who drove around in the night, trying to figure out what to do. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

As reported on the website http://thousandoaks365.com, a woman who identified herself as Jernberg’s mother was quoted as saying, “I never asked him what he’s doing, I never asked him where he’s going, he’s always hanging out with those guys, and now this happened.”  

Tens of Thousands of Teens and Young Adults are Abusing Heroin and Getting Addicted

Griffen was not alone in his youthful abuse of heroin. The Drug Abuse Warning Network reports that in 2009, more than 17,000 young Americans aged 21 and under went to an emergency room for help with a problem related to their heroin consumption. This number climbed from 11,700 in 2004.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals how many teens and young adults enter rehabs to get clean and sober again. In 2009, nearly 1,500 young people aged 12 to 17 were admitted to drug rehab programs for heroin addiction. If you add in those under 21 years of age, the number soars to nearly 18,000. SAMHSA also estimates that 46,000 American children between 12 and 17 years of age have used heroin at least one time.

“There were many lives broken that night,” stated Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions at Narconon Arrowhead, a premier drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization. “Griffen’s family and friends suffered, along with the families of those arrested for their involvement. The right thing to do when someone is abusing drugs or alcohol is to get them help, the sooner the better. This death might never have happened if the right people got help soon enough.” At Narconon Arrowhead in Oklahoma, those struggling with substance abuse and addiction find lasting sobriety. In seven out of ten cases, those who graduate and go home successfully lead drug-free lives.

If someone you love is in danger from substance abuse, contact Narconon Arrowhead to find out how this long-term residential rehab can be the answer you are looking for.  Call 1-800-468-6933 today.



References:

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/nov/05/family-friends-remember-griffen-kramer/
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/arrests-griffen-kramer-death.html
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/nov/05/family-friends-remember-griffen-kramer/#ixzz1hmYPHNT6
http://thousandoaks365.com/five-arrested-in-connection-with-death-of-griffen-kramer
http://dawninfo.samhsa.gov/data/report.asp?f=Nation/All/Nation_2009_All_Under_21
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/tabs/Sect1peTabs1to46.htm#Tab1.1A