It's heartbreak no parent should have to endure.
A grieving Oak Bay couple say they felt trapped by a medical system that didn't give them a say in their son's painkiller prescriptions.
16 year old Elliot Eurchuk died at his home Friday, after taking street drugs his parents believe he was using to help him sleep.
Rachel Staples and Brock Eurchuk tell CTV Vancouver Island their eldest son's drug use began after he was prescribed opioids for four sports related surgical procedures last year. Staples says it was during one of these surgeries when she spoke to the surgeon and requested that Elliot not be given any opioids post-surgery and that they find an alternative.
"And, Elliot overheard that conversation, and during his preamble with the anesthetist, Elliot said under no uncertain terms did he want a nerve block which is what I requested, and that the only thing that worked for him was fentanyl."
Eurchuk and Staples say they were told that under B.C. law, Elliot was old enough to make his own medical decisions.