Father Of Dead Woodbury Teen Speaks About Dangers Of Drugs

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The father of a teen who died of a synthetic drug overdose last year spoke about the dangers of drugs as part of a community forum.

Thomas Fitzgerald spoke at Woodbury High School Thursday night where his daughter, Tara, was a student. It's part of a series of meetings at schools around Washington County to raise awareness.

Last year there were 15 overdose deaths of people age 15 to 30 in the county. There are seven so far this year.

Fitzgerald shared a message with parents.

"People like Tara are at risk," he said. "People who haven't been in trouble, don't get in trouble, get good grades and yet still are presented with choices sometimes and they make the wrong choice -- could be a one-time situation, like in her case -- and it has tragic consequences."

Five people were prosecuted in Tara's case.

Here are the next community forums:

Thursday, April 2nd, 2015
7:00pm-8:30pm
Park High School Auditorium
8040 80th Street South
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Thursday, April 9th, 2015
7:00pm-8:30pm
Tartan High School Auditorium
828 Greenway Ave North
Oakdale, MN 55128