An Orange County woman hopes to raise awareness about drug overdoses with Christmas decorations

FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) — Andree Scalon of Fullerton lost her 32-year-old son Stephan Frank Chaplin to a fentanyl overdose in March this year. At first she didn’t want to decorate for Christmas, but her home is decorated a little differently than all the other houses on Roosevelt Avenue.

In front of her front yard is a Christmas tree – with ornaments dedicated to those who died of a drug overdose.

“I didn’t want to do anything at all, but then I started thinking that I have to do something in his honor, on his behalf,” Scalon said.

The tribute isn’t just for her son. There are now nearly two dozen ornaments of strangers and those who have lost a loved one to drug overdoses.

They hope this honor will raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl.

“Hopefully this helps someone and someone will survive,” Scalon said.