Overdose deaths: Jenna McCune 'was trying to get better'
The family of Jenna McCune, who died of a drug overdose in 2021, is sharing her story to raise awareness about addiction. The event coincided with International Overdose Awareness Day, highlighting the ongoing crisis in Northern Ireland.
Why it matters
Personalized stories of overdose victims help humanize public health statistics and emphasize the need for better addiction support services.
Image source, Family photo Image caption, Jenna McCune was 35 when she died from a drugs overdose in Belfast in 2021
"She had a heart of gold. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself."
Standing in the grounds of Belfast City Hall, Jenna McCune's family remember the woman behind the photograph.
The 35-year-old mother-of-two died from a drugs overdose in Belfast on 31 March 2021.
Five years on, her family are still learning how to live with her loss.
Her stepmother, Linda Richardson, said: "Jenna helped anyone. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself.
"She tried, and she tried, but she just couldn't manage to get there."
Image caption, Jenna's brother and stepmother attended the event to commemorate her
Jenna's addiction began with alcohol before she used drugs.
Her family believe she used them to escape everything she was dealing with.
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