DORRANCE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Luzerne County mother is turning her pain of loss from a drug overdose into an effort to save lives and she's taking that effort to the streets of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Pamela Keefe lost her daughter to a drug overdose and said the pain of that loss is devastating.
She wants to try to spare other families from feeling that pain of loss by helping those who are caught up in drug and substance abuse addiction.
"Well, she walked out this front door on a Sunday afternoon in July and she never came back home. She overdosed from fentanyl," Pamela explained.
Pamela says that dark day in 2018 motivated her to try and help those living with drug addiction.
"She was only 22 years old. I knew that at that point something needed to be done," Amela said.
She started Michalene's mission and took to the streets in her car to help others.
"I see a lot of individuals with similar circumstances that are dual diagnostic with mental health issues as well as substance use disorders," Paula continued.
She started a non-profit named after her daughter, Michalene's Mission, and was hitting the streets, reaching out to those folks in the throws of addiction.
She recently purchased this old ambulance and is stocking it with medical-related supplies.
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"We do HIV testing, hepatitis testing, STI testing. We do clean kits. We do wound care, testing strips for fentanyl and xylazine, Narcan training," Paula added.
She also provides information to people as to where they can obtain counseling for tie addiction.
Ryan Hogan runs the Luzerne and Wyoming County Drug and Alcohol Programs. What does he think about Keefe's efforts?
"Pam's efforts are commendable. She's doing everything in her power to help address the needs on the streets. She's doing everything she can to help people where they're at in their recovery process or if they're in active use. However, there are a lot of other resources in the community that are available at service centers, that are in place that are effective that are evidence-based. They should be utilized," Hogan explained.
Keefe was awarded a $50,000 grant by Luzerne County for her efforts.
She says her life changed with the death of her daughter and that motivates her to try to help others with drug addiction.
