Mum uses picture with dead husband to warn against drugs

September 16, 2015 1:10 AM

Responding to criticism, Eva said she hopes the shocking image will warn others of the dangers of drug addiction.

Mum, Eva Holland uses picture with dead husband to warn against drugs

Mother of two, Eva Holland, has been praised and criticized for doing something most women won't do; she stood smiling with her two children next to the open coffin of her dead husband.

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The woman said her husband died of heroin overdose at just 26 years old.

"I'm sure this photo makes a lot of people uncomfortable it may even p*** a few people off but the main reason I took it was to show the reality of addiction. If you don't choose recovery every single day this will be your only way out."

Her husband, Mike Settles, who was just 26 years old, died on September 2 after a recent relapse in Cincinnati, Ohio after just completing rehab.

"This was preventable it didn't have to happen but one wrong choice destroyed his family. I know a lot of people may be upset. I'm putting it out in the open. Hiding the facts is only going to keep this epidemic going. The cold hard truth is heroin kills. You may think it will never happen to you but guess what that's what Mike thought too.

"We were together 11 years. I was there before it all started. I knew what he wanted out of this life, all his hopes and dreams. He never would've imagined his life would turn out this way. He was once so happy and full of life. He was a great son, brother, friend but most importantly, he was a great dad. He loved those kids more than anything.

"But as we all know sometimes life gets tough and we make some wrong choices. His addiction started off with pain pills then inevitably heroin. He loved us all so much he decided enough was enough and went to rehab at the end of last year."

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Eva later added on Facebook:

"I had a talk with Mike's parents today about my post. They said it doesn't bother them they just want me to clarify that although we know he struggled with addiction that they have not gotten a coroner's report back yet with the official cause of death."