'Addicts are people too' - Co Derry mum who lost son to overdose
In the second part of our interview with Theresa Burke, she outlines how NI needs to changes its perceptions of drug addiction.
Theresa's son Kealan died in 2009, having spent 18 months in a vegetative state, after taking a methadone overdose.
The Glenullin mother claims that addicts here are generally thought of almost as caricatures, cartoonish representations of what can be quite a hidden problem.
"Addicts are not just people who are lying in someone's gutter or shooting up in someone's basements," said Theresa.
"Kealan was an addict and he was a functioning addict, but in the end up it did kill him and it ruined the whole family.
"But it's wonderful the strength we can get from using his life as part of education."
The retired primary school teacher now spends part of her time talking to young people and parents about the dangers of drugs.
"We have to educate our children that drugs will kill you," she said.
"They'll kill you, they will devastate your family, they will kill the people around you, it's not good.
"That's my vision for Northern Ireland particularly, to try and keep these youngsters safe."
What is particularly surprising about Theresa's case is that she actually spoke to the dealer that sold Kealan the methadone used in his overdose.
He had texted her son to make him aware that he had the drug and through that, Theresa was able to speak to him on the phone.
Amazingly however, considering all that she and her family have been through, she bears no ill will towards him.
"Don't blame me, he said, I only sold him the drugs, I didn't make him take them," she said.
"That's true, the gentleman who sold Kealan the drugs had his own issues and his own needs.
"He didn't make Kealan take them."
Theresa believes Kealan's life can now have a legacy impact, showing others the dangers that drug addiction holds.
"If people could see Kealan's story, see what he went through, see what we went through, and know that these drugs will kill you, perhaps it would save some people from the same pain as us."
Her message for those caught in the throes of addiction or who are on the cusp of trying drugs is to really evaluate what they have going on for them before they continue.
"If you're taking now, or if someone offers you something, think about Kealan's story," she said.
"Think about what he has gone through and what we have gone through and just don't take them.
"Life's too good to be augmenting it with this stuff that will kill you."
If you wish to contact us to tell us your story of how drugs have impacted your life, you can do so by emailing news@downtown.co.uk or if you wish to seek help for addiction issues, more information can be found here.