Woman writes powerful poem about being an addict before her death

Shari Puterman | The Daily Advertiser

Show Caption Hide Caption Lessons I learned from loving a drug addict I am not an addict. But try and love one, and tell me that you didn't get addicted to trying to fix them.

Delaney Farrell, 23, seemed to have it all.

She was smart, fit, beautiful and had a smile that lit up any room.

Her parents, Brian and Bridget, loved her more than could describe and would have done anything to save their daughter from the hell she just couldn't escape.

Delaney was addicted to heroin - and in July 2017, she suffered a fatal overdose.

The drug had taken control of her life five years earlier, and despite their efforts, the family couldn't overpower the devil that is heroin.

Delaney loved to write in her journal, and shortly before her death, she forwarded her sister a poem about trying to overcome heroin addiction.

Delaney's parents included the poem in her obituary. Here it is, in its entirety:

"Funny, I don't remember no good dope days. I remember walking for miles in a dope fiend haze. I remember sleeping in houses that had no electric. I remember being called a junkie, but I couldn't accept it. I remember hanging out in abandos that were empty and dark. I remember shooting up in the bathroom and falling out at the park. I remember nodding out in front of my sisters kid. I remember not remembering half of the things that I did. I remember the dope man's time frame, just ten more minutes. I remember those days being so sick that I just wanted to end it. I remember the birthdays and holiday celebrations. All the things I missed during my incarceration. I remember overdosing on my bedroom floor. I remember my sisters cry and my dad having to break down the door. I remember the look on his face when I opened my eyes, thinking today was the day that his baby had died. I remember blaming myself when my mom decided to leave. I remember the guilt I felt in my chest making it hard to breathe. I remember caring so much but not knowing how to show it. and I know to this day that she probably don't even know it. I remember feeling like I lost all hope. I remember giving up my body for the next bag of dope. I remember only causing pain, destruction and harm. I remember the track marks the needles left on my arm. I remember watching the slow break up of my home. I remember thinking my family would be better off if I just left them alone. I remember looking in the mirror at my sickly completion. I remember not recognizing myself in my own Damn reflection. I remember constantly obsessing over my next score but what I remember most is getting down on my knees and asking God to save me cuz I don't want to do this no more !!!"

The Farrells work tirelessly to raises awareness about the deadly drug epidemic sweeping the nation. Although Delaney is gone, they hope to use her legacy to save lives.