About 400 people participated in a walk this morning at Jones Beach in an effort to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic on Long Island.
The second annual 5K walk was organized by the John Brower Jr. Foundation.
John Brower Sr. says his son was prescribed oxycodone and Percocet after he was in a bad car crash that broke his ankle and shattered his leg. It wasn't long before he became addicted to the painkilling drugs.
After going to rehab, Brower Sr. says his son was sober for 59 days. He then died after overdosing in 2014.
"We want to try and prevent that from happening to other families. Nobody should have to bury a child," Brower Sr. told News 12 Long Island.
The money raised at the event will go toward the Outreach Program, a nonprofit that provides drug and alcohol treatment services for Long Island families.
"If we can save help save one person, it would be amazing," says Jody Brower, John's mother.