Sussex mum’s warning to parents following her son’s death

The mother of a 20-year-old man who died after taking drugs has warned other parents to speak to their children and to check on their welfare.
Ryan StuartRyan Stuart
Ryan Stuart

Ryan Stuart died on June 16, 2020, after battling with his mental health and an addiction to recreational drugs.

His mother Donna said Ryan spent most of his life in Hastings and had 'many friends and loved ones that now miss him very much'.

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Unfortunately, Donna said her son suffered from mental health issues - including psychosis and depression - which caused him to attempt to 'escape life' using addiction to recreational drugs as his way to do so.

Ryan StuartRyan Stuart
Ryan Stuart

She said: "Many young people of today are using drugs to escape themselves and to make friends. Sadly sometimes drugs can be spiked.

"Young people don't realise that just because other people are taking drugs, it doesn't mean their experience will be the same."

Donna said she hopes her son's death will not be in vain, as she encouraged other parents to speak to their children to check up on their mental health and to make sure they are not struggling with any battles.

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"We are also asking this to help prevent this happening to other families," Donna added.

Ryan's family is intending to raise money to help young people escape the negative environments which influence them to take recreational drugs.

Donna said she would use her experience to encourage people to escape the streets and to help them rehabilitate.

Remembering her son, Donna added: "Ryan was a young man, aged just 20.

"He spent most of his life in Hastings. He was a man with many friends and loved ones that now miss him very much."

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