MAIDEN, N.C. — Leslie Hulbert found the perfect way to honor her daughter, Malorie Deal, who passed away last year from an overdose.
“I was watching an old video that she had done live on Facebook,” Hulbert said. “In it she said, someday I’m going to have a place called Malorie’s Place, and I’m going to reach millions of people.”
That’s the moment Hulbert knew she had to start the nonprofit in her daughter’s memory to help others struggling through addiction.
“My goal, our goal, with Malorie’s Place when I started it was, there’s a lot of hurting people out there,” Hulbert said. “People need healing over everything, and so that’s what we are here for, to provide a safe place and try to help them in their healing process.”
The organization has groups for addiction, grief, domestic violence and even grief for children.
“It’s just great to see people who, their lives are changing,” Hulbert said.
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths across the country are down by around 14% year to year from last June. In North Carolina, the decline was even greater at over 30%
It’s important to note the numbers are an estimation. North Carolina’s chief medical examiner’s office is struggling to keep up with overdose cases due to high caseloads and low staffing.
Experts say one potential reason for the decline is the spread of Narcan. Hulbert said her daughter was even able to give Narcan to others and potentially save lives.
“People will come to me even on Facebook or out in public and say, ‘I knew your daughter. She changed my life.’ Or they’ll say, ‘thanks for carrying on the legacy. You are doing a good job. People need this,’” Hulbert said.
Hulbert said that peer support groups and a sense of community also helps people get through hard times.
“You see that you’re not alone. You are not by yourself. Someone cares. Malorie always said,’ you can’t fight the battle alone,’” Hulbert said.
Malorie is still the center of attention at the nonprofit.
“Malorie’s the tree topper,” Hulbert said as she looked at the top of at Christmas tree at Malorie’s Place.
