SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, OH (Toledo News Now) - A Springfield Township couple has a goal to take their mission of helping others to a national level.
April and Kyle Schalow say they never expected to deal with prescription drug abuse.
"I hid it from [Kyle]," April said. "My family members knew and they hid it from him, too."
When he found out, Kyle gave his wife an ultimatum, and they decided to fight April's battle with addiction together.
After rehab and on the road to recovery, they were invited to join Oprah Winfrey's series "Lifeclass." Soon after that, Kyle says they knew they had to help others.
"The idea was, 'Let's try to help other people. We've been blessed with something here. Let's take it and try to help other people,'" he said.
So they began to collect empty medicine bottles from around the world. Each bottle represents a life lost to prescription drug abuse. They created a memorial wall and hold a ceremony each year.
"It's not easy, you know," April said. "It's a daily battle, but…It's worth it."
She and Kyle have big plans to create a local awareness day dedicated to prescription drug abuse. On Monday, Springfield Township trustees issued a proclamation in honor of the day.
The Schalows will continue to pursue awareness on a national level.
