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Local News

Monday, July 26, 2010

Heroin claims young father
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

"Dad, I can't stop."

The words belong to Findlay resident Aaron Grotrian. He struggled for years to kick heroin, but was never able to escape.

He died Aug. 28 at age 20. His death was ruled a heroin-related, accidental drug overdose.

"He was fighting it to the point where he didn't want to work, because he didn't want a paycheck, because he knew what he was going to spend it on," said Aaron's father, Andre Grotrian.

Twice, Aaron was resuscitated after overdosing on the highly addictive opiate. But even that, combined with a family intervention, counseling, and Aaron's own pleas, weren't enough to set him free.

Less than six months after Aaron died, Findlay resident Taylor Akerman, 19, accidentally overdosed on drugs on Jan. 31. He tested positive for heroin, according to a ruling by Hancock County Coroner Dr. Mark Fox.

"I never wanted to see another family go through it and now, here we are," said Aaron's mother, Terri Lauck.

"As a city and county," Andre Grotrian said, "I think we need to quit being ashamed of the drug problems and address it."

Grotrian said many people have questioned why, as parents, they didn't do more to keep Aaron from the drugs.

"You can't lock a drug addict in his room," Grotrian said, and you can't force him to get help unless he is willing.

He described his son as a functioning addict who had a job, fathered his 1-year-old daughter Amiah, and maintained a relationship.

"To see him walking down the street, you wouldn't know he was an addict," he said.

In early 2009, Aaron was admitted to Orchard Hall, the psychiatric wing in Blanchard Valley Hospital.

Then, he moved back in with his father, and Andre Grotrian thought his son was finally breaking through.

But Aaron, who had been a straight-A student through middle school, had reached the end of his rope.

"The day he died, I thought he had been staying clean," Andre Grotrian said.

"He was good and clean for a while, but then he didn't want to follow up on the outpatient care, and he slipped back into (the addiction)," he said.

He remembers his son as intelligent, caring, and the kind of guy who was willing to give the shirt off his back to someone in need.

"Every day, I got an 'I love you, Dad.' It didn't matter if we were downtown, he would still give me a kiss," he said.

But his son's outward displays of affection may have been foreshadowing his death.

"I think he knew things didn't look good then," he said.

Aaron's grandfather, Tony Grotrian, has launched his own battle against drug dealers and gang leaders.

He sits in on nearly every drug case in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.

To some degree, he blames drug suppliers for leaving his great-granddaughter, Amiah, fatherless.

"They didn't stick a needle in him or put a gun to his head. But if they weren't around, it would have been a lot harder for him to become addicted," Tony Grotrian said.

Aaron Grotrian became a drug dealer and had faced criminal charges. But the reason he sold was to get his fixes for free, his father said.

Tony Grotrian also makes his rounds to the police station, sheriff's office, and other county and city offices to spread the message of his "Operation Save our Kids," which seeks to help provide a safer community for youth.

At each stop, he leaves behind a picture of Amiah, which is kept on the desk of some city and county officials.

"I think those little eyes and that picture can tell the story more than I can," he said.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


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8 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
s wrote:
So sorry about your loss
“ my daugther going through the same thing we sent her to a rehab in florida she will be there 4 two months i was just wondering if there's anyone to talk too thats dealing with the same thing email me @ jordee007@hotmail.com ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 7:08:22 PM
Angy Shaferly wrote:
Son lost
“ Sorry for your loss especially for that little girl that won't know her daddy. I am sure he Loved her more than life itself which is probly why he couldnt live that life any longer. Sometimes God takes care of our biggest struggles for us. That is the hardest part in dealing with addiction as a treatment provider. You do have to fight it with everything you have, from Every angle and sometimes we forget to look up. Medication and counseling are great and can help an addict get better. But majority of the time it takes something all powerful to fight it to truly "get well!" Peace and Prayers to all who continue to suffer. Angy RN ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 6:37:29 PM
don wrote:
Heroin
“ My condolences to you regarding the loss of your son. Your son's death offered our community the challenge of helping our friends, neighbors and loved ones who are seriously addicted. I personally, believe the ADAMHS Board needs to allow more funding by sacrificing some of their salaries and beneftis to fund detoxification and residential care. Outpatient treatment alone, is not helpful to those with severe addictions. Many of our community members who are addicted to heroin and other drugs need higher levels of care. Detoxification followed by long-term residential treatment are the correct treatment options for those with severe addictions. I recommend contacting the ADAMHS Board, the Hancock County Commisioners and our representatives for more funding helping those in the community without money or resources to recover from their addiction. In addition, the criminal justice system needs more knowledge and experience in dealing with substance abuse offenders. It is time to advocate of jail treatment services as an option when all else fails. ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 1:19:49 PM
concerned wrote:
drugs
“ I believe this town is hiding alot of our drug issues. A lot of it has to do with the system, these drug dealers and users are getting away with everything. I personally know someone that is addicted to several drugs (sells and uses), you wouldn't know it if you saw her. However this is how she gets away with it. She goes to court puts on a pretty smile and gets community service out of it. If the courts would put these people away for a while and make them go to rehab and have random drug testing for 5 years after there conviction i think it would help alot. So many of our kids are getting wrapped up in this huge mess and its so hard to get out of it. If there was a little bit of fear put into these children than i think maybe it would deter them from doing the drugs. I understand that the jails are full, but i would rather my tax dollars go to building a bigger jail to keep the drug dealers away from our children than it go to some of the rediculous things i have read about. I hope that all of the work that these familys are doing to protect our children pays off, what they are doing is great! keep up the good work! ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 1:08:30 PM
Chris wrote:
Heroin claims young father
“ Thank you for your passion. I am very sorry it was too late. I have a daughter who is addicted to many dangrerous behavor's and it is a shame that we don't have anything close for addiction behaviors except for orchard hall and counseling. My daughter has finally agreed to serious help and we are sending her to Nashville TN to a facility for a minimum of 6 months. This facility is a christian facility and is for women only but there are many out there for those that are searching. ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 10:59:20 AM
R wrote:
heroin
“ Maybe one day when our troops are no longer guarding poppy fields in Afghanistan Grandpa Tony can get a little peace.

Blessings to those suffering with addiction and those who love them.
 ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 7:48:15 AM
Ken Heishman (Blockwatch Capt) wrote:
Heroin claims young father.
“ Go get them Tony,We all need to realize the effect of drugs on our kids& grandkids the community in general. ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 6:24:13 AM
nancy german, wrote:
father loses son to herion
“ Im very sorry for your loss,i also was addicted,to cacain,,been clean 11 years now,very hard habit to break away from,thanks to drug task force,,they saved my life,,i still feel the monkey on my back from time &again,GOD HELPS ME TO SAY NO TODAY..ONCE AGAIN VERY SORRY,,MAY HE RIP ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 2:54:32 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

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The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

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Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

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The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.