A Drug Prevention Book
About the AUTHOR
Ginger Katz is a nationally recognized figure in the world of drug prevention education. She is CEO and Founder of The Courage To Speak® Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded shortly after the death of her son, Ian from a drug overdose – and dedicated to saving lives by empowering youth to be drug-free and encouraging parents to communicate effectively with their children about the dangers of drugs
More Than 112,000 People Died
In 2023 Due To Drug Overdose in the USA
This is IAN's Story...
A young boy who lost his life to drugs
On September 10, 1996, I awoke to every mother’s nightmare. I found my 20 year old son Ian dead in his bed of an accidental heroin and a prescription drug overdose.
Ian was a beautiful child and he developed into a handsome young man. He was bright and very sensitive. I think because of his sister Candace who was born with Down Syndrome, he had an insight about life well beyond his years. He said Candace was his heart. His friends said he was deep and caring person.
In the semester before he died, he received honors at the University. Ian enjoyed basketball, lacrosse and baseball. In high school he played baseball and lacrosse. He was the 2nd highest scorer on the lacrosse team. He had a black belt in karate. He was one of the fastest runners I have ever seen. He had a lot of athletic ability. He was truly loved by his friends. He was voted the most popular boy in the yearbook in the middle school. His 5th grade teacher told me he was so loved, especially by the girls. She would have to separate the girls from him. They would not leave him alone. She said. He had that charisma at an early age.
I think every young woman at the funeral told me she loved Ian and every young man who you could say he loved Ian, did so. He won the heart of so many. It was so evident at the funeral.
What Book Is ABOUT
Sunny's Story is a compelling story for children, teenagers, parents, grandparents, and teachers written by Norwalk resident, Virginia “Ginger” Katz. Sunny’s Story tells of joyful times and sad times, and of how a dog’s best friend was needlessly lost. It is narrated through the eyes, ears and mind of Sunny, the family beagle. It is the ups and downs of life with his young master, beginning with their meeting at an animal shelter, and ending with a futile effort to ward off disaster.
Ginger Katz has brought new life to her message of empowering youth to be drug-free. The family dog and narrator, Sunny, is a keen and intelligent observer of damage done by alcohol and other drug use to his master, Ian. He tells a heart warming, but tragic story that will make readers, young and old, think twice about choices being made every day. The book is for both young and old and the story of love, compassion, caring and understanding is universal.
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