Paul Francs Duffy II was called by a nurse to report that another person had been admitted to the emergency department for an overdose. He donned his suit and headed to the hospital. Duffy, a peer support specialist, would offer support and encouragement to survivors, just as he had done for himself. “That’s the insanity and addiction, right?” Gwen Dudley was Duffy’s partner. “Duffy knew this was dangerous, but he believed he had it under control. “Dudley and Duffy were arguing about Duffy going to treatment.
Gwen Dudley explains that Paul Duffy II was a loving and devoted father and partner.
(Courtesy Gwen Dudley) “He thought he might lose a job,” she said. He was afraid to admit that he was using and seek help. Dudley, a recovering addict herself, stated that “the stigma, even for those in recovery, is strong.” Duffy, 32, died May 2, 2021. Fox News reported that Duffy died from fentanyl poisoning. “He saved lives” Dudley said that Duffy’s death was a result of addiction. She has been fighting to end shame around addiction, in the hope that less people will suffer silently until it’s too late. She believes stigma kept her “soulmate”, Dudley, from seeking help. “Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Dudley stated that addiction doesn’t have a face. It is everyone. “It is everyone. Duffy, like many others, became addicted to opioids via a legitimate prescription. He had received OxyContin in highschool for a back injury. But, Duffy said that he switched to heroin because it was cheaper and more accessible. His drug of choice was cocaine and other amphetamines-like substances. However, he still used opioids to get off the stimulants.
Duffy was first exposed to opioids in highschool when he was given OxyContin for a back problem.
(Courtesy Gwen Dudley) Duffy met Duffy in recovery nearly five years ago. Duffy had been clean for around a year but had occasional relapses. His longest period of sobriety was four years. Dudley stated that Duffy was charismatic and funny. He was generous, loving, and vivacious. He had a passion for life that most people don’t have. They quickly made a home together and had their son, Luca. Duffy, who was in recovery, was focused on his physical health and was passionately about helping others. Texas has seized over 336 million ‘lethal doses’ of Fentanyl during Operation Lone Star, DPS SAYS. Duffy eventually got a job as a peer support specialist at the Anne Arundel County Health Department, Maryland. This position was created in the county’s efforts to combat the fentanyl epidemic. Dudley stated that Duffy “saved lives.” “I was so proud.” She said, “He was so amazed that he could do that as a work with all he’d gone through.” “Turned his suffering into purpose. “Addiction doesn’t discriminate”Duffy’s mental health started to improve in 2021. Duffy’s busy work schedule became more hectic when Dudley had a baby. Dudley’s father also died from pancreatic cancer.
Duffy died from unintentional exposure to fentanyl-laced drugs.
(Courtesy Gwen Dudley). “I was certain that Duffy was struggling,” she stated. He was very depressed. “WISCONSIN PARENTS LOSE SON TO FENTANYL. BEG OTHER FAMILY FAMILIES TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE DEADLY DRUGDuffy tried to find a therapist but he didn’t get along with him. He turned to alcohol believing he could control it. Duffy began using drugs again soon after almost three years of clean living. It is a result of trauma, mental health issues, and pain. Fox News reported that he tried to stop but couldn’t. He was using his will against his will. “He was using against his will for two months.
Dudley claimed Duffy knew of the dangers of Fentanyl from his job, but was “essentially using against my will.”
(Courtesy Gwen Dudley). “Fentanyl is frightening,” Dudley stated. It keeps me awake at night. It makes my stomach turn. “Dudley was on her way with Duffy’s mother, Duffy, to search for her partner. She received a call from the hospital. Duffy was unconscious and had been found hours later after overdosing. Duffy was placed on life support for three more days before doctors declared him brain dead due to lack of oxygen. Two days later, he was taken off life support. WHAT IS FENTANYL? HERE’S MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS DRUG. Duffy reflected on his reluctance in seeking help. Duffy was afraid that he would be judged for his addiction, which Dudley considers a disease. She said, “To treat it as a moral failing to me” It’s a medical problem. “It’s a medical issue. Over 64,000 of these deaths were caused by synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Dudley stated that “this is coming in over our borders.” “The border policies are failing. “The border policies are failing.
Dudley has dedicated her life to removing the stigma surrounding addiction so that others who are struggling with addiction might seek help sooner.
(Courtesy Gwen Dudley) ‘Heroic, in his own way’Dudley is now working remotely as a national outreach coordinator at Ascend Recovery Center in West Palm Beach. TikTok is her platform to raise awareness about the dangers associated with fentanyl. Dudley stated that her son will grow older and will tell her dad about his condition. “That he was heroic in himself and saved lives, but that his dad struggled with this illness. I will explain to him fentanyl.”Although she still grieves, Duffy’s death has given Dudley a sense of purpose. Fox News spoke out to say that she would like to thank Duffy for believing in her strength before I did. “And teaching me how to help people from my heart and not care about what other people think for the greater good. Dudley stated, “It’s what allows us to give meaning to his passing and take that spirit with us to help others.”