A son is lost to a drug overdose after first time trying 'new' drug

Dan Grant was a Boy Scout, a baseball and a tennis player. Family and friends say he had the best sense of humor and was always the ‘peacemaker between friends.’ But on November 23, 1997, it all came to a halt when he tried OxyContin for the first time. Dan was only 19 years old when he overdosed and was declared brain dead by physicians. Now his story lives on with family and friends as a reminder that it only takes one time. It’s a story his mom shares in her quest to prevent others from experiencing the unimaginable pain she lived (and continues to live every day). 

Dan’s mom, Cindy Grant, will join Brandon Hospital clinicians, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney Suzy Lopez and the Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance to share the story of Dan this Friday, October 25 at 11:00am at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital to remind the community it’s time to clean out your medicine cabinets just one day before the National DEA Drug Take Back Day: Crush the Crisis. 

“I didn’t know the signs and symptoms and I didn’t think this could ever happen to our family,” said Cindy Grant. “I’ll never forget the phone call and the car ride with the deputy to the hospital. It was the longest ride of my life. Now, I want to save another mother from the feeling of removing their child from life support after an overdose. It’s preventable. That’s where my focus is now: prevention.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA warns the American public with its’ “One Pill Can Kill” message. 7 out of 10 prescription pills manufactured by criminal drug networks seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. The only safe medications are the ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

This vital message that it only takes one pill to cause a drug overdose is important to share with the public.

To raise awareness, the following speakers will speak at the press conference on Friday, October 25 at 11:00am outside the Children’s Emergency Department at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital at 119 Oakfield Drive in Brandon.

Speakers:

• Cindy Grant – lost son due to drug overdose
• Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance – Ellen Snelling
• State Attorney Suzy Lopez
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - William Stockman
• HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department Medical Director – Dr. Michael Haynes

The team organizing this year’s Drug Take Back Day press conference hopes the event will help raise awareness of the Drug Take Back Day [the following day] on October 26, 10:00am – 2:00pm with drug drop-off locations across Tampa Bay including the same location as the press conference at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital.