Clark's struggle began when he was prescribed Percocet too long for a shoulder injury. When he was no longer able to receive a prescription for the medication, he found his way to Suboxone to try to keep this addiction from ruining his life. The trauma of his father's suicide in 2014, following a long disability, where CPR he gave was unsuccessful in saving his dad, reopened the door to his addiction. Since he could no longer acquire a prescription for pain pills, he started buying on the streets to numb his pain. He realized it was a problem and began Suboxone again, but the illicit drug supply has now become so infiltrated with fentanyl, that suboxone is often not enough to curb their body's need for the substance. Even if they try to continue using the pills they become addicted to, what is on the streets is often counterfeit and laced with fentanyl. Visually, they can be indistinguishable from prescription medications. The day Clark died, he had completed multiple applications for long term rehabs. He had completed a few 30-day rehabs in the prior months, but it can take quite a while to rewire the brain from addiction. When they don't continue treatment beyond that 30 days, they're even more susceptible to an overdose because they have lost tolerance for the substance. The level of fentanyl in much of today's drug supply isn't something they would have developed a tolerance for. We believe that he thought there was no way he would die from what he bought that last day, but it was laced with 10x the lethal dose of fentanyl. He died immediately. The loss has left us devastated. In seeking to turn our pain into purpose and try to save others from the horrors of addiction and the loss we have experienced, the foundation was born. It was Clark's long-term goal to help others find victory over addiction through his testimony, so we are picking up the baton to carry on his legacy. Just before and since he died, many friends have also lost their lives to fentanyl poisoning. Several of the families impacted have joined with us in this fight to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning. Many more aren't yet ready to share their story. We'd love to see the stigma end! So many people today didn’t become addicted by first trying illicit drugs, but rather from legally prescribed medications from their doctors. No matter how the addiction began, we want to celebrate every step toward sobriety! No matter what, we want people to know they are loved and they matter!
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While Clark's battle on earth may be over, he would love nothing more than his life and struggle to lead others to break the chains of addiction. If you are facing this battle, he would encourage you to seek professional help, staying as long as necessary to regain your life & making all the necessary changes to be successful. He would tell you to never open the door because it's nearly impossible to close, could cost your life, as well as enduring heartache for your loved ones. More than anything, he would implore you to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
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Clark was a graduate of Coastal Carolina University where he was the president of his fraternity. He was an avid Charlotte Bobcats and Charlotte Hornets fan. He acquired his mother's love for animals and wanted to save them all. Ever the charmer, he always sought to make others feel loved and appreciated. He will be remembered as quite the character, always looking to get a good laugh out of people. He was a friend to everyone.
Clark's senior video created by his fraternity brothers