Advocate For Drug Addicts in Recovery Dies

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A local man who struggled with addiction and was a strong advocate for those facing the same struggles has died. Michael Young was the president of Not One More — Illinois, a charitable organization that helps get logistical assistance and transportation to addicts who commit to treatment, and also helped to organize events at The Other Side, which is a sober bar in Crystal Lake, according to the Northwest Herald. Young died Friday.

“He had struggles just like everybody else, but he was a strong advocate for people in recovery,” Chris Reed, who is one of the founders of the nonprofit New Directions Addiction Recovery Services, told the newspaper. “A lot of people are sober or started their path in recovery because of him.”

Young also volunteered for A Man in Recovery Foundation and handed out free naloxone kits, which are used to save someone who may be overdosing on heroin or other opioids, according to the article.

Tim Ryan, founder and executive director at A Man in Recovery Foundation, said Young “helped thousands of people.” Ryan is working to raise money to help transport Young’s body back to his family in Boston. Donations can be made here.

McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett posted about Young's death on his Facebook page.

"My prayers go out to Mike Young who always kept it real. I’ve personally seen this man help many addicts get the help they needed to live a healthy life," he wrote.

More via the Northwest Herald