Parents of Teen Overdose Victim Warn of Heroin Epidemic in Suffolk

Gabriel Phillippe, the grandson of East Hampton’s Paulette Phillippe, died of a heroin overdose at just 15 years old on April 22, 2010. Since this terrible tragedy, Gabriel’s parents Bryan Phillippe and Kathy Roman—both of Center Moriches—have spoken out to help other Suffolk County parents to identify the warning signs that their kids might be using drugs.

“I think as a mom, you tend to always be the one to say, ‘No, not my child,'” Roman says in the above Public Service Announcement with Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who points out that heroin overdoses are skyrocketing in Suffolk and use of the deadly drug is reaching epidemic proportions. Bellone and Gabriel’s still grieving parents, Roman and Phillippe, warn local mothers and fathers to be vigilant with their kids and to intervene in any possible drug use, before it’s too late.

Bryan Phillippe has spoken to students at East Hampton High School, and at other local forums, about his son’s death and the dangers of substance abuse several times over the last few years.

CLICK HERE for a directory of substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery services in Suffolk County.

Visit suffolkcountyny.gov/substanceabuse for Suffolk County’s Substance Abuse Resource Center.