The Wellspring Center for Prevention has launched the Jason Surks Memorial Fund to honor the memory of Jason Surks, son of longtime Wellspring staffer Linda Surks.
The fund will further enhance the mission of Wellspring, which is to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities through the prevention of addiction-related problems across the lifespan, according to information provided by Wellspring.
Jason Surks was 19 when he died of an overdose of prescription drugs that he was abusing in 2003. The lifelong Metuchen resident was in his second year of college, studying to be a pharmacist. This fund is designed to continue his legacy by educating youth, families and community members about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, according to the statement.
“He was just 19. He had so much ahead of him. … He was making such an impact and such a change, and that was taken away,” Linda Surks said of her son. “The fund is really a way for us as Jason’s family to carry on a lot of the things that were so important to him.”
After 27 years at the agency, Linda Surks will retire on June 30. The new fund will continue her legacy of resilience and a commitment to better things ahead, according to the statement.
To donate to the fund, visit wellspringprevention.org/donations.