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River Float on the Yough Raises Funding for Drug Awareness
By: Michelle Taylor

On Saturday July 18, 2015, 250 people gathered together on the banks of the Cedar Creek launch area and floated their way down the Yough River to Youghiogheny Canoe Outfitters in West Newton.

Michael Cameron

There, they set memorial wreaths into the water to remember Michael Cameron and Sage Capozzi. Mike Cameron, an Elizabeth Forward graduate, was 21 years old when he mysteriously died at Another Way Inc., a drug treatment center in Farmington. Sage Capozzi, a 20-year-old Norwin High School graduate, was pronounced dead at Westmoreland Hospital in March of 2012 from an accidental heroin overdose.

Mike Cameron had had hand surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome and was put on pain killers, which developed into an appetite for heroin. After two years, Mike decided it was time to get clean. He entered rehabilitation and completed his mission and then checked himself into Another Way Inc. On November 9, 2014, in the early morning hours, he was found dead in a nearby pond. While the autopsy showed no narcotics in his system whatsoever, they did conclude that he died of dry drowning. Dry drowning is where no water is taken into the lungs but the larynx spasms and causes it to shut, ultimately causing death. The family has hired a lawyer and is seeking an explanation and closure.

Sage Capozzi, like Michael, entered rehabilitation and completed his treatment. He was 90 days clean when his grandmother died of cancer. Only 8 days after his grandmother’s death, he checked into a hotel room with his friend and girlfriend and unintentionally overdosed. His family started Sage's Army to "...bring the problem to light and break the stigmata," said Carmen Capozzi, father to Sage.

Mike's family and Sage's Army joined forces and held the river float event. They raised $977 to donate to Sage's Army and help to fund the organization. Sage's Army participates in rallies, marches in Washington D.C., golf outings, runs/walks, and banquets. Carmen Capozzi helps to get kids into treatment and has an agreement with the treatment center to give one free scholarship to a person in need after three referred people check in and complete treatment. Their headquarters are located in Irwin and are called Sage Haven.

Sage Capozzi

Both families want to spread the awareness of drug use and abuse. They each lost a very important part of their lives because of this epidemic and they are looking to help minimize the effects and losses to other families due to drug use.

To make a donation, seek help for treatment, or to get more information on future events, please contact Carmen Capozzi at 412-817-7851.

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