NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- The 5th annual Bridge the Gap event encouraged Arkansans to observe International Overdose Awareness Day Saturday.
Of the hundreds of people who gathered to honor lives lost and support those still fighting in their recovery journey was Doug Ballinger, who was here honoring his son Logan Ballinger.
“I know he’s here with me, I feel him all the time, I just can’t hug him,” Ballinger said.
Arkansans share their stories of grief on International Overdose Awareness Day
“We mourn their death, and we celebrate their lives because they were wonderful human beings they just made a mistake and it cost them their lives,” Ballinger said.
Logan Ballinger struggled with drugs since he was about 14 years old, his father said. The addiction became apparent when Logan entered his 20s.
Ballinger entered his son into rehab, but he said it did not stick, and when Logan finished rehab, he entered back into old habits.
“Logan was an amazing loving human being,” Ballinger said. “I know if Logan had the chance, he would tell me he didn’t mean for that to happen.”