Kamloops family mourns son who died after fentanyl overdose

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Darren Robinson had turned his life around.

The 38-year-old met a woman, found faith, planned to attend culinary school and passed on his passion for skateboarding to his girlfriend’s son.

“The last time I talked to him, he was on Cloud 9,” mom Karen Juergens said. “He was just so thrilled he finally found somebody who cares for him and all this, right? When I think what probably happened was it was just one more time to celebrate life. That’s all it took, was that one more time.”

Robinson — a father, boyfriend and former NorKam Secondary student best known for kick-flips, grilling steaks and his sense of humour — died from a fentanyl overdose on Nov. 21 at the McArthur Island skateboard park.

His family wanted to pay tribute to his life, put face to statistics and caution others that it only takes that one time.

“It’s like they say, Russian roulette,” Juergens said.

Prior to his death, the recovering addict was happy, largely due to a romantic relationship that blossomed earlier this year from a longtime friendship with a woman.

Valleyview Bible Church elder James Cathcart said Robinson began attending public education nights with his girlfriend at the Mennonite Brethren church two months ago.

Describing him as a warm person with a readiness to laugh, Cathcart said he discussed with Robinson difficulties in his life.

The last time he saw Robinson alive, Cathcart gave him a Bible upon request.

Robinson’s Facebook page is filled with inspirational quotes, including one posted the day before his death from Ernest Hemingway’s book A Farewell to Arms: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.”

“He had his eyes up and was looking forward to the future,” Cathcart said.

That future came to a tragic halt, however, when Robinson left his home to cash his income-assistance cheque nearly a month ago.

His girlfriend expected him back by 6 p.m. for dinner.

The coroner determined Robinson died from a fentanyl overdose sometime between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Interior Health notes illicit drug overdose deaths have stabilized at an “unacceptable rate.” Before the opioid epidemic, Kamloops recorded between two and 10 such deaths annually.

In 2016, that changed, with 44 people dying from illicit drug overdoses. In 2017, that number was 38. Through September of this year, there have been 32 overdose deaths in the city.

The three-year community snapshot is one piece in a puzzle that continues to boggle policymakers across the country, where 9,000 Canadians have died between January 2016 and June 2018.

Fentanyl continues to taint street-level drugs.

Cathcart spoke during Robinson’s funeral, reading a passage from the holy book he only just gave to Robinson.

Robinson’s parents say they will miss his laugh, his hugs and his barbecued steaks and burgers.

Robinson also leaves behind an 18-year-old son, an older brother and a younger sister.

Christmas will be difficult for many this year.

“I miss him so much every day and think of him and wish it was all just a bad dream,” Juergens said.

Read more B.C. stories at kamloopsthisweek.com