Family of local man who overdosed hopes to spread awareness

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) John was a happy infectiously joyful prankster who was the center of his family's world.

If it involved a ball, John Decker played it well; whether was basketball, baseball, football, or lacrosse

He had it all he was a star in school, had an Ivy League education, a beautiful girlfriend. However, John had a terrible secret. He was a a heroin addict.

Tad Decker, the Vice Chairman of the Cozen O'Conner law firm, is used to fixing things. However, he couldn't just fix his son. He kept hoping maybe the next rehab would save him.

Along the way, John kept up appearances. He still worked as a financial analyst, and volunteered with kids, but piece-by-piece it all fell apart. He lost his girlfriend, college buddies and his parents trust

The Deckers believe that John's problems all began with a sports injury that resulted in knee surgery.

"He got addicted to OxyContin no question about it."

His mom, Candy, says they were very involved, and monitored John's physical therapy. They never thought this would happen. But now, it's too late John Decker overdosed in January at the age of 30. He was found by his devastated family.

The Deckers are hoping to spare other families their suffering. That's why they've decided to speak openly about John's addiction. They wished they acted sooner, addiction can happen to anyone, any family, anywhere.

The organization in the Virginia area that hosts John's fund and is fighting for more accessible Naloxone, in addition to their other projects, such as sober fun for in-recovery college students: http://www.chrisatwoodfoundation.org/

John's specific Memorial Fund: http://www.chrisatwoodfoundation.org/#!donate/c1ghi