Norwich drug problems highlighted before Mathew Project walk

Jonathan Taylor died from an overdose in August 2005 at just 35 years old after a 15-year struggle with addiction.

Jonathan's mum Carole Taylor, who lives in Edinburgh Road in NR2, said the death of her son was "devastating".

Jonathan Taylor died in August 2005 of a cocaine overdose (Image: Carole Taylor)

Carole, 70, said: "From the age of 20 my son was heavily addicted to drugs.

"He would mainly take heroin but he died of a cocaine overdose. He'd been clean for about eight months but relapsed and his tolerance had gone.

"He'd come out of prison six months before and to try and break him away from old connections we hoped he'd be better off living somewhere outside of the city - so he moved to Diss.

Carole Taylor, 70, said her son's death was devastating (Image: Carole Taylor)

"But old habits find you wherever you are and his death was devastating.

"I'd been involved with him throughout his struggles and drugs are a viscous cycle - it's a disease that doesn't discriminate.

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"As ridiculous as it might sound, my son was a lovely person and very kind, but drugs changed him and even though he battled against it, it's like a cancer of the soul and it ate away at him."

Carole "found comfort" through organisations including Families Anonymous, Al-Anon and the Mathew Project.

Jonathan Taylor was just 35 when he died and had been struggling with drug addiction for 15 years (Image: Carole Taylor)

The latter, which was founded in Norwich 40 years ago, is holding its annual Walk to Remember on Saturday.

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The event provides a focal point for people to remember loved ones who have lost their lives or are affected by substance misuse.

Carole added: "Norfolk is a lovely community and I think it's very important to raise awareness of these issues because so many people are struggling out there."

The Mathew Project is holding a 'Walk to Remember' event on March 2, between 12-5pm (Image: Mathew Project)

Walk to Remember

The Matthew Project supported 1,400 young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire during 2022-23. 

​This included people who had problems with drugs or alcohol, who were at risk of exploitation in county lines drug activity and people who suffered from anxiety, depression and self-esteem issues.

The charity event will follow the 5.7-mile Nooks and Crannies route on Saturday, which meanders around the city centre, with all ages welcome to join for all or part of the walk.

Participants in last year's Matthew Project Walk to Remember in Norwich (Image: The Matthew Project)

There are two meet-up points along the way, one at the Forum and the other at the Cathedral for anyone wanting to join in for parts of the walk.

The event starts at The Matthew Project's Oak Street recovery hub at midday and finishes with a service of reflection with the charity's chaplain Rev Annie Blyth and refreshments at St Georges Church in Colegate. 

To get involved or to donate to the campaign, go to matthewproject.org.