A man who said it took the death of his friend from a heroin overdose and jail time to finally turn him away from drugs was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison.

Kiel Kiwala had pleaded guilty in Scott County to possession with intent to deliver heroin. Charges that claimed Kiwala was responsible for Kevin Glenz’s overdose on Feb. 14, 2010, were dropped.

Facing prison time, Kiwala said he “won’t give up” seeking help for his addiction.

“Addiction affects more than just me,” he read aloud in court from his own letter to Scott County District Judge Tom Reidel.

After the sentence was handed down, Danielle McReynolds called out to her son. “I love you,” she said as Kiwala was escorted away.

Six months ago, McReynolds refused her son’s bail and sent him back to the Scott County Jail, where he has been since.

His lawyer, Harlan Giese, said his mother wanted Kiwala to “face facts.”

After the sentencing, McReynolds handed a statement to the Quad-City Times: