Thursday morning Danita Buttrey got a heart stopping phone call . . . learning her son, Brandon Mccafferty, had overdosed and died. The shock still hasn't faded.

"I was devastated. I couldn't believe it," Danita said.

"— it still doesn't feel like it's real," Jonathan Macioch, Brandon's younger brother said.

"Right, I still expect him to barge through the door . . . No parent should have to feel this kind of pain," Danita said.

For Danita and her family, addiction is all too familiar. She says there was a moment where Brandon had saved her life, something she wish she could have done in return.

"I myself am a recovering addict. I've been sober over two years, and I tried to express to my kids, there's a better way of life. In my addiction, Brandon saved my life the first time I OD'ed on heroin. He kept me alive till the paramedics got there. So, now I feel bad, because I wished could of been there to save him," Danita said. 

She's hoping her son's death wasn't in vain, and his story might help others struggling with addiction.

"I just wish we could have gotten Brandon clean. I know everything happens for a reason, and I just hope other people can take this as a lesson, you know, get help. Just stay active in recovery and just ask for help. Don't be afraid to ask for help," Danita said.  

The family has a Go-Fund Me page to help raise money for funeral costs. The page is posted on Danita's Facebook Page Danita Lynn, or you can donate directly to Orlando's Funeral home at 2122 Raspberry St.


 If you are struggling with substance abuse, you can call the SAMHSA National Hotline at 1-800-662-4357, and you can go to https://www3.erie.gov/health/opioids-other-substances for more resources.