Inquirer Editorial: In death, Reid's son provides a sad lesson

Garrett Reid. STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
Garrett Reid. STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
Posted: August 08, 2012

What if? That question faced everyone who knew Garrett Reid as his parents, Eagles head coach Andy Reid and his wife, Tammy, prepared to bury their son, who was found dead Sunday.

He was only 29, but had lived a life in which premature death is not unexpected. Reid had a history of heroin abuse, and although by all accounts he appeared to have overcome his addiction, absent a coroner's final report, drugs had to be suspected.

Reid's addiction became public in 2007 when, while high on heroin, he was in a car accident that left a woman seriously injured. He was later sent to prison for smuggling drugs while being held at the Montgomery County jail, and was locked up again after testing positive for drugs while on probation.

For the past three years, Reid had been working for the Eagles as a strength and conditioning coach. He seemed to be doing fine. But early Sunday, his body was found in his dormitory room at Lehigh University, where the Eagles have their summer camp.

Police said there was "no indication of a suicide or foul play."

But even if drugs weren't involved, the what if question remains: What would Reid's life have been like had he and brother Britt, who also has a drug history, avoided drugs? Other parents, siblings, and friends of addicts ask that question. Addicts do, too, including those who kicked the habit.

Better is the right answer. Life without drug addiction is better. That's an invaluable lesson not just for those trying to escape addiction, but for anyone who can't see that this country must provide more access to drug treatment.

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