North Fork Man Who Lost Brother Fights Back Against Heroin Crisis With Narcan Training, Presentations

Laurel resident Paul Maffetone was only 22 years old when his brother Michael died at 29 of a heroin overdose in 2012.

The heartache and grief of finding his brother, who died in their family’s bathroom, could have crippled Maffetone, but instead, he’s made it his life’s mission to spread awareness and save other young people from the horror and pain of heroin addiction.

To that end, he’s formed a new group, Michael’s Hope, which has gained a great deal of attention via social media and on Facebook, as others join forces to fight back against a disease that has claimed their loved ones and left families and communities dealing with unthinkable loss.

Efforts have gained momentum quickly: Now, Maffetone is working with a team of young people, including Trevor Murray and Jordan Stierle of Coram, Kristina Amato of Commack, Samantha Paulus of Port Jefferson, and Matt Liquori of Riverhead, gearing up to address local municipalities and school districts on the escalating heroin crisis.

They’ve filed the paperwork to become a 501c3 not-for-profit and are just waiting for final approval.

Donning ‘I Hate Heroin” hats and bracelets, their message is resonating on the North Fork and across Long Island.

Most recently, Maffetone and his group met with Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts to discuss addressing the board with a presentation on Michael’s Hope, as well as possibly setting up a Narcan training session.

“Our ultimate goal would be to hold an open-door event where the community could come down and get education about this epidemic and substance abuse, presented by Michael’s Hope, on a more regular basis, perhaps once every month, or every few months,” Maffetone said.

His hope is also to address the Greenport School District, Maffetone said.

Roberts said his first step will be to ask the village board, during the upcoming January village board work session, to host a Narcan training workshop, which will also help residents learn how to identify an individual struggling with heroin addiction. The goal would be to schedule the workshop for sometime in February or March.

In addition, Roberts said Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa has reached out to the village, asking if he can come address the board on how the Guardian Angels could help deal with heroin issues in Greenport.

“I think what’s most important for now is that the board, as leaders in the community, acknowledge that we have a severe problem and begin brainstorming solutions,” Roberts said. “I hear about this from a lot of constituents who want us to take action and not put our heads in the sand and pretend it isn’t happening.”

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard said he looks forward to hearing from Maffetone. “Any information we can get out there to help other kids struggling with addiction is a good thing,” he said.

Greenport isn’t the only North Fork community poised for action: Maffetone has met with Rev. Tom MacLeod of the North Fork United Methodist Church, hoping to plan a community event where a film on heroin addiction will be shown, along with a Michael’s Hope presentation.

In addition, Narcan training is coming to Mattituck: A two hour session will be given on Feb. 4 at the Mattituck Fire Department, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m with Robert Delagi .

Michael’s Hope efforts will also be spread across Long Island. The group is presenting to all the health classes at Islip High School on Jan. 14 and 15 and Glen Cove High School Feb. 3 and 4. The group plans to address groups across both Suffolk and Nassau Counties; a Manorville event is in the works right now.

For Maffetone, the efforts touch a deeply personal chord: “The ugliest disease hides in the most beautiful people,” he said, adding that his aim is to shine a light for those struggling, showing them that there is “hope after dope.”

He added, “Watching my brother go through his addiction alone, because we couldn’t talk about it, due to the stigma, and also, knowing how my family and I felt —I wanted other families to know that they aren’t alone.”

Many families are grappling with the same heartache, he said. “We can be each other’s support, as well as support those dealing with addiction, and those in recovery,” Maffetone said. “If we kill the stigma attached to addiction and start the conversation about this disease, people will feel they can be more open about it. I never want another family member, friend, or addict to feel alone in a world where so many people are in the same shoes.”

Losing his brother was something that will forever color Maffetone’s world. “It was truly the most devastating thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” he said. “Soon I’ll be the same age my brother was, when he passed away. He was my best friend, my hero, my keeper. I shouldn’t have had to carry his casket down the church aisle when he was 29 years old.”

(Patch photo courtesy of Paul Maffetone and his fellow “Michael’s Hope” team members.)