GOLDEN, Colo. — A mother is on a mission to honor her son's life by spreading awareness about the dangers of overdose. Her advocacy begins with a tribute event on International Overdose Awareness Day, held on Aug. 31.
Carrie Paulson's 22-year-old son, Raleigh Paulson, died from an accidental overdose on June 16. A toxicology report revealed that Raleigh had alcohol, cocaine laced with methamphetamine and a depressant cut with fentanyl in his system at the time of his death.
Raleigh, a graduate of Golden High School, was pursuing a degree in Economics at Colorado State University. He was a member of a fraternity, surrounded by friends and deeply loved by his family.
“But the side effect of college is that he started to become, you know, more of an addict,” Carrie explained. “Addiction is a disease that affects some people’s brains much differently, and he had the brain that was very easily affected by it. He would say, ‘My friends don’t get it, Mom.’”
Raleigh had undergone rehabilitation four times, with his last stint in January. Carrie recalled that during the semester following rehab, Raleigh seemed to be doing well. He was taking online classes, working out daily and passing sobriety tests. In the weeks leading up to his death, Carrie noticed that her son was in good spirits.
The night before he died, Raleigh visited a friend’s house. When he returned home the next morning, everything seemed normal.
“He came home. He told me he was going to take a nap and get up and do some homework, and he didn’t wake up," Carrie said through tears. "He had no plans to end his life, no plans to die. He just made bad choices.”
By the time Raleigh took that fatal nap, the drugs had already been in his system for hours. Carrie now recognizes that her son’s unusually loud snoring that afternoon was likely a sign that his airways were obstructed.
In the wake of her son's death, Carrie has retired from her 30-year teaching career. But she is determined to continue educating others. This time focusing on the dangers of overdose in Raleigh’s memory.
“It still hurts—everyday hurts—but maybe someone’s life will be saved if we get that information out there about how dangerous the drugs on the streets are now,” Carrie said. “Doing this for my son is the only way I can think to give back.”
Looking ahead, Carrie hopes to bring overdose awareness to middle and high schools, either by partnering with an existing organization or starting her own.
“The hope is getting to them early. Before it gets too late,” she said.
To kick off her efforts, Carrie and her husband are organizing a public event at the Golden Mill on Aug. 31 at 5:00 p.m. for International Overdose Awareness Day. At the event, she will distribute buttons, stickers and tribute cards. She will also pass out information sheets on various drugs that commonly cause accidental overdoses, symptoms to watch for, what to do and how to help in an emergency.
The Paulson family is now raising money to reduce addiction fatalities through SAFE Project.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance abuse immediate help can be found through:
More statewide resources can also be found at End Overdose Colorado and on the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's overdose prevention page.