COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, more than 1,900 people died of drug overdoses in Colorado last year.

A new recovery center in Colorado Springs wants to help lower the numbers. One of the coaches, Allison Parsaye, is the youngest there.

“If I keep going this way, I’m going to die,” Parsaye said.

Parsaye was 15 when she was introduced to drugs. By the time he turned 16, he was using Fentanyl. Human trafficking and sex trafficking threatened her safety.

She says buying drugs was very accessible, especially if you were homeless.

“People will do anything to get their next dollar, whether you’re 13 or 19,” Parsaye said.

She says she has overdosed five times. He was only 16 years old.

“I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel any pain. It was killing me slowly,” Parsaye said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration says drugs are affecting more than just the elderly right now.

Jonathan Pullen is the special agent in charge of the DEA. He says drugs, especially fentanyl, are too accessible to teenagers.

“Kids can go on social media and find people selling pills. They can meet that person at the mall or they can have it delivered to their home,” Pullen said.

Parsaye now mentors others who may be struggling with drug addiction at Silver Linings Recovery Center with her mother.

“They are coming into the fray,” Parsaye said.

She says a little guidance can save people from drug addiction.

“When you see that drug in front of you. Just say no,” Parsaye said.

The DEA asks parents to educate themselves first. you can find
more information about drug overdose and fentanyl HERE

____

Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA5 Newsdownload and start watching.