On May 20, 2017, my magnificently beautiful daughter, Christina, died from an accidental overdose. It takes months to get a toxicology report back from the coroner, but her addiction was to heroin and crack-cocaine. She was 24 years old. I want to share her story in the hope that lives may be saved and her death will not be in vain. No one plans to be an addict.

As a child, Christina was a treasure and was loved deeply, with so much promise and yet she still died from an overdose. Addiction does not discriminate. Using heroin once is all that it takes to get hooked; from then on you are playing Russian roulette. This is what happened to Christina. Heroin is a demon that affects the way your brain processes pleasure, taking over not just your brain but your life, destroying families and friendships.

Christina was drop-dead gorgeous, feisty, in-your-face outspoken, had a robust, contagious laugh, would do anything for a friend & always lit up a room with her smile, energy and crazy sense of humor. Hers was a 10 year struggle, starting with opioids and progressing to heroin. Many loved ones did everything they could to get her to stop, but heroin won the battle.

The day Christina died, a part of us died along with her. We will miss her every day for the rest of our lives. The pain of her death is heartbreaking and intolerable, which is why stories like Christina's should not be ignored. The only way we will conquer the heroin epidemic is to share our stories and raise awareness.

Christina, you have now found the peace you so desperately searched for here on earth. Before your descent into drugs, you trusted Jesus as your Savior and that fact is the biggest reason we can smile through the pain. Knowing you, you no doubt, have a front row seat in heaven and are ecstatic with how many people loved you and have been truly affected by your death.

Christina will be greatly missed by her mother, Pj (Pamela Champion) Sallie; her extraordinary daughter, Lyla; her sister, Ashley; loving grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

A celebration of her heavenly homecoming will be held at Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman), Temperance, Michigan 48182 on Friday, May 26. Friends viewing 2–7 p.m. A special service at 7 p.m. Please bring your own helium balloon for a memorial release after the service. Leave balloon in your vehicle until we do the release.

Out of respect for our family absolutely no drama will be tolerated. Let us honor Christina for the beautiful young person she was when the heroin didn't have it's death grip on her.

"No temptation has overtaken you, except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted above what you are able. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 13:14