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We Remember, We React

On Tuesday, the stigma that drug addicts receive from so-
November 5th, ciety, which led to their hiding of Michael’s
2019, Donovan battle from friends and family, thinking they
Catholic students could handle it themselves without help. Jeff’s
were taken out of tragic story of Michael’s last few weeks fight-
their comfort zone for a day as ing his battle was gut wrenching, honest, and
graduates of Monsignor Donovan eye opening.
High School Dean Malanga (class
of 2008) and Jeff Seyglinski (class The purpose of the presentation was not only
of 2006) returned to their alma to urge students to stay away from prescrip-
mater to give a presentation about tion pain killers, drugs, and alcohol, but also
the dangers of opioid and heroin to plead with those who know or have known
addiction. These drugs have somebody struggling with addiction to reach
plagued our community to the point out and talk to somebody about their prob-
where it has become an epidemic, lem. Silence is not the answer, and people not
taking victims from families far too young, and only need to be educated on how these
it is important to raise awareness for what drugs can ruin your life, but also to be com-
these drugs can do to a person and a family. fortable in reaching out to ask for help. You do
not need to fight alone.
Dean and Jeff gave a very detailed and raw de-
scription to students all day in the cafeteria of Addiction does not discriminate. It affects
Donovan Catholic of how heroin took over their people from all walks of life. Michael was a
16 lives and led them to the darkest places imagi- college graduate with a future ahead of him.
nable. Dean spoke from personal experience
This disease did not define the person he
as a former drug abuser. He focused on the was. Addiction is a daily struggle that takes
habits of an abuser ranging from justification, full control of your mind, body and soul. It is a
denial, and finally, to acceptance of his prob- powerful disease that ultimately wants to take
lem. He described in painful and raw detail the your life.
long road to recovery and the many failures
and relapses he had to face and battle as he Reach out, there are more people struggling
fights to maintain his sobriety after five years. with this than you know. If you or anyone you
know is struggling with addiction and they do
Jeff gave a different perspective. Jeff, aided not know where to begin or who to talk to
by his father and sister, described the pain please do not hesitate to reach out to
that opioid addiction wrecks on a family. The Michael’s family at https://michaelseyglinski-
Seyglinski family lost their son Michael (class foundation.org/. If you would like to
of 2008) in March of 2019, just one day be- contribute to their cause, go to
fore his 29th birthday. Jeff’s story focused on www.gofundme.com/f/Michaelseyglinski.