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Photo by Brie Prusak
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Barb Smith, whose son, Brent Legault, a 2001 Milan High School graduate, died, wants to turn the heartache from her loss into a lesson for parents. On Saturday, she is presenting a program at her church called "I Took A Stand," which is an alcohol and drug prevention program.
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Brent Legault, a 2001 Milan High School graduate, died young and his mother wants to turn the heartache from his loss into a lesson for parents.
"My son started with smoking pot. I am sure he didn't think the first time he used that 10 years later he would be gone," said Brent Legault's mother, Barb Smith.
Legault died Dec. 4, 2005, at the age of 23 from carbon monoxide poisoning due to damage to his car's exhaust system from an accident earlier that year, his mother said.
Legault's death was the end of a very chaotic life. He grew up with a caring family, an artistic personality and a religious background, but at some point in his early teenage years, he began using drugs and alcohol.
For Smith, awareness of the problem started when she received a telephone call from the principal's office because her son had been caught trying to buy marijuana when he was 13 years old.
But Legault wasn't in any real trouble until 10th grade, when he failed all of his classes that year except for gym, and he was caught firing a stolen gun. The incident landed him in court and he was sentenced to house arrest. He was also recommended for treatment for drug and alcohol use.
At this time, he transferred to Milan High School. From there, things seemed to be looking up. He was completely drug free, and he even graduated with three scholarships, his mother said.
Things turned for the worse when Legault turned 18 and his probation period ended. The teen soon moved to Green Bay, Wis., to be with his girlfriend. The relationship lasted a couple of years, but his girlfriend broke up with him because his addiction became too much for her to handle, his mother said.
After the breakup, Legault attempted suicide and moved back to Michigan, Smith said. He stopped using drugs and alcohol again, but that only lasted a short time.
"He thought he could control it, but it actually turned out controlling him," Smith said.
When Legault began to use again, because he had younger siblings who he could easily influence, his parents told him that he couldn't live with them unless he stopped using. He didn't and instead moved back to Green Bay.
One week after the talk with his parents, Legault was found dead. There were no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death, his mother said.
Legault's passing inspired Smith to write a book with hope that her words could detour teenagers from choosing the same path that her son chose. The book is titled "Brent's World," and it can be purchased online at www.outskirtspress.com/brentsworld. All proceeds from the book benefit Dawn Farm, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Ypsilanti.
Legault's mother wants teenagers to know that they have choices and don't have to turn to drugs and alcohol to fix their problems. She also wants teenagers to know that drugs and alcohol are anything but glamorous, like they are sometimes depicted in the movies.
Her message to parents is to stay involved in your child's life. It's not possible to help a child who is struggling if you don't even know what's going on.
Looking back on it, Smith she was far too lenient on her son.
Smith is scheduled to speak to ninth- and 10th-graders at Walled Lake Middle School this spring. She is also interested in speaking as part of the Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education program in Milan schools.
On Saturday, she is presenting a program 10 a.m. at Faith Assembly church in Ypsilanti called "I Took A Stand," which is an alcohol and drug prevention program. The kids at the church must make a pledge to not use drugs or alcohol. After taking their pledge, they will be featured on a video that will be available on YouTube and other media sources.
Brie Prusak is a student reporter. She can be reached at brienne_prusak@yahoo.com.
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