Tommy Jones Memorial. a 19 year old youth who shouldn't have died of heroin substance abuse

Welcome to our Memorial

We wish to memorialize the loss of our son and beloved brother, Thomas Michael Jones. We lost him at the tender young age of 19 to a heroin overdose. He unfortunately fell victim to a wretched dealer named Golden Billings who sang the siren song about a new heroin drug so powerful that it need not be injected to get high. This took place about Christmas 1996 and there were a number of other young teens who agreed to a one-time test of this so-called ultimate high. Tragically, he and at least four others didn't stop trying. During the next nine short months, Tommy was arrested once, later being charged with violating probation and went thru two 5 day detox's and 28 days of inpatient treatment at Hope Valley Inc, in Dobson, NC trying to beat this horrendous addiction.

But just 2 weeks after leaving Hope Valley, Tommy died of a heroin overdose about 2 p.m. on September 14, 1997 in the parking lot of the Pilot station located just off I-85 and Statesville Avenue in Charlotte, NC. Needless to say, the family and his many friends were devastated and it's such a tragic end to such a promising young man.

The above picture came from his high school year book when he was a Junior. It was a glorious time. He had made the National Honor society, played trombone in the South Rowan HS band and worked part-time for his father. He was very popular with many friends. His father recalls shaking his head in disbelief at how lucky he was to have such a good son. He was that good!

Unfortunately, he had already begun smoking pot and using LSD. It proved to be fateful mark of the beginning of the end. This is his story..sad though it's ending may be. This is the story of the life and times of Tommy Jones and why the only true way to avoid substance abuse troubles is to never take them. Once you start it, you may one of the unfortunate ones like Tommy who can never quit.

Personal Interests, family links and some pictures
Click here for a Real Media video- a Memorial to Tommy Jones. A wonderful 2000 Christmas gift from Missy Thigpen.
Other victims of drugs and alcohol
a fathers angst and a word about grief
How we can fight back-from a parents prospective. Also links to treatment, thoughts on DARE and a host of other complex issues concerning substance abuse.
all about drugs and helpful tips for parents on drugs like Ritalin, marijuana, alcohol, GHB, Ecstasy, Methamphetamine, heroin, , cocaine, inhalants, etc. Notes and help for users

Substance Abuse treatment and education programs are woefully underfunded. Your financial help is greatly appreciated and 100% goes to worthy programs. To check us out, The Tommy Jones Foundation is listed on Guidestar This non-profit serves as a database for those interested in learning more about the work of various non-profits. Over 670,000 entities are listed.

In April 2009, Melody set up a Facebook group for Tommy. Please go here to see it and possibly join this group.

Send comments to: mikejonea2@yahoo.com