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'She was trying to get better' - the lives lost to drug overdoses

Kelly BonnerBBC News NI
News imageFamily photo Jenna McCune, a woman with dark reddish hair tied up and back from her face, pouts at the camera in a selfie pose. She is wearing a sleeveless leopard print top and pink lipstick. She is in a kitchen with cream wall cupboards and a white hob. Family photo
Jenna McCune was 35 when she died from a drugs overdose in Belfast in 2021

"She had a heart of gold. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself."

Standing in the grounds of Belfast City Hall, Jenna McCune's family remember the woman behind the photograph.

The 35-year-old mother-of-two died from a drugs overdose in Belfast on 31 March 2021.

Five years on, her family are still learning how to live with her loss.

Her stepmother, Linda Richardson, said: "Jenna helped anyone. She just couldn't, unfortunately, help herself.

"She tried, and she tried, but she just couldn't manage to get there."

Jenna's family was among a number who gathered at Belfast City Hall on Monday night as it was lit up in purple for International Overdose Awareness Day.

A total of 251 people died from drug-related causes in Northern Ireland in 2024.

News imageJenna McCune's brother Craig and her stepmother, Linda Richardson hold framed white photographs of her towards the camera while standing in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. Craig is a man with short, dark, wavy hair and a thin moustache. He is wearing a black and grey striped sweater and cream shorts. Linda, a woman with a short, grey bob, is wearing a navy hooded fleece jacket over a light blue top.
Jenna's brother and stepmother attended the event to commemorate her

Jenna's addiction began with alcohol before she used drugs.

Her family believe she used them to escape everything she was dealing with.

Her brother Craig said they tried again and again to bring her home.

"It's so tough. We tried so many times. But when you're stuck in addiction it's hard to believe you're worthy of the help."

For Craig, the city is full of memories of his sister.

"There's so many memories of Jenna here in Belfast. Being in town is so sad as I see her everywhere I look."

Five years on, the pain has not gone away.

"You're almost waiting for that phone call, but hoping that you don't get it."

Her family describe the years since her death as the hardest of their lives.

Jenna's family said she had not taken drugs in the weeks before she died.

"She was trying to get better," said her brother.

"She had hope. Then unfortunately it was one bad night".

'Every life matters'

News imageA group of people stand and crouch together as they pose for a photo in front of Belfast City Hall. Some members of the group are holding up framed photos of loved ones. The grey building behind them is illuminated in a soft purple hue.
Belfast City Hall was illuminated by purple lighting to mark International Overdose Awareness Day

The organiser of the commemoration event, Kathy Scullion, a senior social worker for the Belfast Health Trust, said behind every statistic is someone who was loved.

"Overdose can affect anyone. We must continue to replace stigma with compassion, silence with conversation, and judgement with support."

She added: "Let the purple light be a reminder that every life matters, every person deserves dignity, and there is always hope."

News imageKathy Scullion, a woman with a straight, dark brown bobbed haircut, looks to the camera in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. She is wearing a maroon tunic top with short sleeves and a pair of black sunglasses on her head.
Kathy Scullion said the stigma associated with drug addiction must be replaced with compassion for those affected

Jenna's brother said: "This is why we are here tonight, to remember those people who couldn't get out of addiction.

"They weren't just addicts, they were much-loved family members."