The mother of a 15-year-old boy who died hours after taking ecstasy paid a heartfelt tribute to him today (Friday, 27 June).
Joshua Reeson died two days after his birthday from the effects of taking the drug.
As an inquest into his death took place today, him mum Michelle said: “I lost my 15-year-old son Joshua, to a drug overdose.
“There are no words that can fully capture the pain, shock, and the emptiness that follows such a tragedy.
“His death cannot be for nothing, I intend to carry his memory forward with purpose.
“My son who gave so much for others would want me to spread awareness of how he died, to hopefully prevent others from having to experience the same terrible, needless heartbreak we, his family and friends, live with everyday.
“Joshua was not just a son, a brother, a cousin, nephew, grandchild, great grandchild and friend, he was a light to everyone around him.
“His heart as big as he was, always eager to lend a hand, to listen, and to make people smile.
“He cared deeply for others, his kindness knew no limits, he was a boy full of life, with hopes and dreams for the future. He was, and still is, loved beyond measure, he had so much more to give to this world.
“One spur of the moment decision, one wrong choice, and everything changed.”
Michelle urged other young people to take the lessons of Joshua’s death to heart.
“Drugs took Joshua away from us,” she said. “The reality is this can happen to anyone, any child from any family, no matter how much love and care surround them.
“It is simply not enough to say ‘don’t do drugs’, we need to educate ourselves and our children about the dangers they pose, and the signs and symptoms of an overdose. We must speak openly about this issue so that our silence does not steal another child from us.
“To any young person reading this please hear me when I say: please don’t experiment, don’t assume you are invincible, one time is all it takes.
“Your life matters. You matter. Don’t gamble it all away, you are worth so much more than any high.”
Last December, a man was jailed for more than four years for supplying Class A drugs linked to Joshua’s death.
Anyone with any information about suspected drug-related crime is asked to make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101 and speaking to the Force Control Room.
Always dial 999 if an emergency response is required.