John and Tammy Sienkiewicz know the heartache of losing a child to drugs.

Their daughter Alexandria “Alex” Sienkiewicz, 23, died April 2, 2016, at their Tamaqua home of a fentanyl overdose.

“It’s really important for us to educate especially parents so they are not in our shoes. And that is why the sign is so important,” Tammy said.

A 4-by-3-foot sign in a metal frame is on their property along Route 443 in West Penn Township. The sign is illuminated by two solar lights at night so the message is always visible.

“It was a project we were looking to do for a little over a year,” John said.

“The pandemic set us back,” Tammy said.

Safer Streets for Tamaqua’s Little Feet, an organization they co-founded that provides education, support and assistance for those afflicted with addiction, paid for the signs through fundraisers. The smaller 2-by-2-foot signs will be given away for businesses to display if asked.

Both said not a week goes by where people don’t ask them for help, especially if they don’t have insurance.

John said someone called him four days ago.

“They said no rehab would take them without insurance.”

He told them to go to a local emergency room and ask for help.

“With an ER visit, you can get the help you need even without insurance to go to rehab,” John said.

Going to a local law enforcement agency and asking for assistance is also an option. The local drug and alcohol department will then be notified.

The Warm Handoff Program connects people with resources and treatment needed for drug and alcohol problems. More information is available at the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs website, www.ddap.pa.gov and warmhandoff.org. Locally, people can also call 570-621-2890.

The sixth Out Of The Darkness Into The Light Overdose Awareness Walk will be held from noon to 6 p.m. July 17 at the Owl Creek Reservoir.

The event will include carnival games, live music and food.

Free Safer Streets book bags will be distributed, along with information on substance use disorder.

Naloxone training will be held at 2 p.m.

At 5 p.m. a walk will be held to remember our loved ones taken too soon.

“Education is the key to ending this epidemic. We didn’t know what to do. We didn’t know anything about the opioid epidemic,” Tammy said about their experience.

After Alex died, they lived in their Tamaqua home for about four years until moving.

“I couldn’t relive that day every day for the rest of my life anymore,” she said.

She still misses her daughter.

“Her death never gets easier,” Tammy said.

Time has softened the pain.

“I’ll never forget my child ever,” she said.