Skylar Piatt has not only lost an uncle, who was coming off of heroin, but also has a brother who is a recovering addict. Now, she is going under the needle in an effort to bring about attention to the drug epidemic.
She says her brother got help just in time. “I told him he's not the same person; it's taking over his body,” Skylar describes. “Heroin is our new black plague.”
Heroin has also killed many of those Justin Cantrell knew. He estimates he has lost some 15 to 20 people he personally knew to heroin.
Cantrell - who is a tattoo artist - wanted to draw attention to the epidemic that has taken so many lives. He wanted to create a slogan others would remember: Fight the fight -- stay clean.
If you're really serious about getting clean, he says, make the pledge in ink.
“It's just one way to show you’re serious about your fight and you're not going to back down,” Cantrell explains.
A percentage of the proceeds from every Fight the Fight tattoo will go to the local fire department to help them buy Narcan - the drug designed to revive people who have overdosed on heroin.
“I want to raise money to help save lives. We're tired of losing loved ones over this,” he says.
After an hour and half, Skyler's tattoo was complete. She hopes the image of a needle and spoon will make people think not only about lives heroin had destroyed, but those still fighting to live life without the drug. “I want people to know they can go for help. They shouldn't be ashamed … everyone needs help sometimes and I think they shouldn't let it get the best of them.”
Tattoos are performed at Big Daddy’s Tattoo, 668 South Main Street Marion, Ohio. (740) 751-4754