{{Founded by:

Michael Hirst & Rindy Hirst (Andy’s Parents)

Heather Voight, Karey Walters, Jill McEldowney, and Lauren Hirst

(Andy’s Sister)

Andy’s Angels2326 Brooklyn RoadJackson, MI 49203

(517) 499-9919

www.andysangels.net

In honor of Andy HirstIn honor of Andy HirstJanuary 8January 8thth, 1986 – May 17, 1986 – May 17thth, 2010, 2010

1923 Heroin became illegal due to an 1923 Heroin became illegal due to an epidemicepidemic

200,000 + addicts200,000 + addicts

Andrew Michael HirstAndrew Michael Hirst“The superhero”“The superhero”

January 8th, 1986

1995 Oxycontin was 1995 Oxycontin was introduced.introduced.

Andy was just 9 years old

2001 – Congress declares “Decade of 2001 – Congress declares “Decade of Pain Control” and doctors are Pain Control” and doctors are encouraged to treat pain in all people.encouraged to treat pain in all people.

1999-2007 – 300 Million prescriptions 1999-2007 – 300 Million prescriptions are written each year. US now are written each year. US now consumes 80% of all opiates in the consumes 80% of all opiates in the world.world.

2007- Purdue Pharma pleads guilty for 2007- Purdue Pharma pleads guilty for “intent to defraud public” when they “intent to defraud public” when they

advertised Oxycontin as addiction proof.advertised Oxycontin as addiction proof.

No one in Andy’s family knew No one in Andy’s family knew he had a drug problem.he had a drug problem.

May 2008, Memorial Day weekend, Andy May 2008, Memorial Day weekend, Andy admits to his dad for the first time, that he is admits to his dad for the first time, that he is addicted to Oxycontin.addicted to Oxycontin.

Andy spends 2 weeks in Brighton at Andy spends 2 weeks in Brighton at RehabRehab

2008 Prescription painkiller 2008 Prescription painkiller overdoses kills 15,000 people.overdoses kills 15,000 people.

Nearly 2.5 million Americans are Nearly 2.5 million Americans are addicted.addicted.

September 2008 Andy was arrested on September 2008 Andy was arrested on Heroin possession.Heroin possession.

Andy spent 2 more weeks in rehab.Andy spent 2 more weeks in rehab.

4 months after admitting he had a problem…..

Oxycontin and Heroin are almost Oxycontin and Heroin are almost molecularly identical.molecularly identical.

COST: COST:

$80 per Oxycontin pill$80 per Oxycontin pill

$10 per Heroin hit$10 per Heroin hit

Andy overdosed for the first time on Andy overdosed for the first time on Heroin. Heroin.

No one knew for 6 months that this No one knew for 6 months that this was Andy’s first overdose.was Andy’s first overdose.

January 2009, Andy was 23 years old

140,000 new people over the age of 12 140,000 new people over the age of 12 try Heroin each year.try Heroin each year.

213,000 ER visits are Heroin related 213,000 ER visits are Heroin related each year.each year.

Andy overdosed on Heroin for the second Andy overdosed on Heroin for the second time. time. He passed out behind the wheel of his car with the needle still stuck in his arm. He was taken to the hospital by police.

Andy went back to Rehab for 30 Andy went back to Rehab for 30 days.days.

Just four months after the first overdose, May 2009…..

Andy was arrested for retail fraud. Andy was arrested for retail fraud.

He stole a hat. He stole a hat.

A few days later Andy overdosed A few days later Andy overdosed for the third time. for the third time.

August 2009, 1 month out of rehab….

Andy violates probation due to failing a Andy violates probation due to failing a drug test. He is ordered 90 days in jail.drug test. He is ordered 90 days in jail.

Andy is released after 76 days Andy is released after 76 days for good behavior.for good behavior.

Andy is clean and sober Andy is clean and sober and and high on life. high on life.

January 2010……

In April 2010 an "abuse resistant", controlled release formulation of Oxycontin was approved for sale in the United States.

Heroin use doubles in the US.

Early morning hours Andy leaves a picture of Early morning hours Andy leaves a picture of himself as a child on the counter for his family to himself as a child on the counter for his family to find.find.

Around 10:00 a.m. a green truck approaches the job Around 10:00 a.m. a green truck approaches the job site Andy is at. Andy is seen giving them an item.site Andy is at. Andy is seen giving them an item.

May 17th, 2010

(Picture that Andy left dad, insert here.)

11:45 a.m. the green truck returns and Andy takes 11:45 a.m. the green truck returns and Andy takes something and puts it in his pocket.something and puts it in his pocket.

2:45 p.m. a call is made to Andy’s dad at the office, 2:45 p.m. a call is made to Andy’s dad at the office, Andy was found not breathing in a porta john on the Andy was found not breathing in a porta john on the job site.job site.

Andy overdosed on Heroin.Andy overdosed on Heroin.

Andy was just 24 years old

Heroin: First it takes your Heroin: First it takes your money, then it takes your money, then it takes your freedom and finally it takes freedom and finally it takes your life.your life.

Faces of Addiction…Faces of Addiction…