Unfortunately, It may be too late for us. But together, we all can make a difference in someone else’s life! Thank you Dr. Lynn Webster! www.zerodeaths.org.

And thank you Melissa! www.HARMD.org

Many people think METHADONE IS ONLY FOR HERION ADDICTS! THIS MEDICATION MAY BE HELPING MILLIONS BUT IT’S KILLING THOUSANDS FOR PAIN CONTROL because of lack of communication and information.

“Methadone” was prescribed Dec 3rd 2005 that took my brothers life. He was found dead in his bed by his 12 tear old son, on December 4, 2005, not even 24 hours, since he picked up this medication!

Leaving behind children with NO will.

-Methadone Intoxication: NOT AN OVERDOSE

Mike had flu like symptoms and a horrible cold that night. We believe the combination of Theraflu and other over the counter cold pills is what killed him.

My brother Mike (we are 19 months apart) was the only one, of our parents and siblings that stayed in the bay area raising his 12-year-old son Nick. Mike divorced about 8 years prior to his death. Mike and Nick lived in their beautiful home in the Cupertino area that Mike was so proud of. He was a hard worker, in his glory remodeling his home continuously. He was a great father, husband and friend!

Mike was also a mentor to so many people through his AA programs and meetings the past 4 years of his life. He saved many lives through his generosity of home and heart. His phone was available for anyone, 24-7! He also saved me. I am 6 years sober due to my best friend, my brother Mike. He was always a year “older” with our sobriety, and we use to talk about everything at least weekly, if not daily for at least a few minutes. We were very close. Our family always ends our calls with I love you!

Mike was in a bad automobile accident in July of 2002. This lead to disk problems in his neck and low back area due to this car accident. He was scared to death of surgery that he needed but he wouldn’t, couldn’t do it, yet! He wore a back brace for support along with physical therapy and was prescribed pain medications (Viccadin) to help relieve his pain. It was manageable and he was ok. As most of you know, if you or loved ones are with chronic pain, you do what you got to do for pain relief and try to continue to have a life as “pain free” as possible. He knew addition, his doctors knew of his alcoholism.

Pain sufferers try all resources that are available to help eliminate pain, whether it be massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractor or even spinal cortisone injections, you do it!

In March, all of us (our families) got together here in Utah for a visit in our home, for an extra long weekend. Not realizing this would be our last time we saw Mike alive.

On December 4th, my husband, my father in law and I had planned a trip to Palm Desert, CA for a quick and relaxing weekend. My kids were home safe with their babysitter for the weekend.

We had just landed and standing in the middle of the terminal when I received this “horrifying phone call” on my cell phone. I’m so sorry, and I don’t even know how to tell you this, but apparently your brother Mike, has died throughout the night?

He was found in his bed dead by his son Nick, 12, this morning. He had gone into wake him up and he was gone!

Well, after this call, the airlines basically had to put me in a “rubber room” until they could get us on a flight to San Jose, CA. There are NO WORDS! I’m sure you all know exactly what I mean after hearing about the loss of your loved one.

We had to get through all the funeral arrangements, which nobody should have to do this especially for a healthy 41-year-old man! Nick our precious nephew having to go back to live with his mother, which was not the healthiest situation at this time. Nick needed his mother and legally this was what had to happen.

This is the hardest, not having Mike here to watch over his sons, grow up!

We still are in shock and trying to get some answers with his cause of death.

Apparently, Mike was flu-sick with a bad cold this day. They heard him up about 11 o’clock that evening. He had a fever. He had a cup of hot Theraflu and then went back to his bedroom to sleep and never woke up.

Apparently, (autopsy showed) he had also taken some over the counter cold medications throughout the day. We are guessing, and assume he took that “one more pill” Methadone along with this Theraflu. We believe this combination killed him!

Finally, my brother in law searched his car and found a bottle of METHADONE in his glove box! We noticed that it was filled and dated Dec 3rd, and he was gone on Dec 4th!

Anyways, we all had to get it together and have a funeral. We were raised here in California so we new the church we wanted to have it. Mikes pastor gave his service with the numerous of old faces from our old neighborhood and schools. There were also many of Mike’s friends he’d helped through his AA meetings along with his old buddies from school and work.

We all had to wait 9 weeks for Mike’s autopsy report to find out his cause of death. Agonizing, yes. You’ve been there! But when I saw that he had died from “Methadone intoxication,” My insides died again.

NO will anywhere, and none of us ever discuss this. We are young…

You can’t imagine the amount of work and papers, taxes, etc that has to go into this. Unimaginable! The State and probate attorneys steps in, and just think of having to itemize everything and sell it all to the public? Then having the probate attorney looking over your shoulder which all money’s goes into this estate?

Yes, it is also sick to also think the state takes over half, yes they have taken over half! It has taken 2 years to complete.

PLEASE GET YOUR WILL DONE, TODAY!

Or at least; Write it down on a piece of paper, signed and notarized from a bank. Put it in your safety deposit box; give it to a loved one or someone you trust! This is better than nothing! Believe me! Believe us!

Our family will continue to watch over them forever! WE can only pray these Unintentional deaths stop. Today!

Thank you for allowing me to share our tragedy and “one” more death; that should have never happened! God bless you all…

Karen Lasrich

Sister of Michael James Kennedy

Born 3-28-62 Death 12-4-05