Retired US firefighter’s mission is battling opioid addiction

Garcia during a class at Saint Philip Lutheran Church in Mount Dora, Florida, on Oct 18. Garcia, a retired firefighter, travels this US state training civilians to save victims of opioid overdose. Photo: TNS

Lori Heath knows the pain of watching a loved one succumb to opioid addiction.

The Tavares, Florida, resident has publicly shared her anguish over losing her 28-year-old son, who she said was 16 when he became hooked on prescription painkillers after oral surgery. In 2016, while living in Maryland, he died from an overdose, leaving behind his fiancee and young son, she said.