Judging by only what I see in the video, by the tatted up Dad, the OD'd Mom, and the fact it looks like they live in a homeless camp or low rent apartment, my guess is that young man has had zero stability or happiness in his life. I think it is sick that the father would film and put on social media what may be the most horrific moment of that young man's life yet. The boy probably did not know the magnitude of what he was being told. Very sad in every possible way. I hope that young man has a strong and decent role model somewhere.

Father: "I had someone record this so addicts with children can see" He probably thought he was doing a good thing. Unfortunately, now the young boy will have to relive that moment. Probably over and over until he becomes numb to it. I don't think that tattoos have anything to do with the qualifications of being a father but blowing smoke in his face is not a sign of a caring father.

So do you as a parent decide to save the world at your child's expense ? I think not !!!

@bbk I would hope not. But who knows now days?
But that is what the father claimed. I pulled that right off of the CNN website.

If the intention is to raise awareness of the dangers of heroin addition, and other drugs, I applaud this. It may make some people think; it may make some people get the strength to seek help and start a treatment for their addition. If it helps one person turn around his/her life, then it was worth it for that person.Regarding the child in the video, I hope he gets good and supportive role models thru his journey into adulthood. I don't think this is any different than any other case where a person loses a loved one and it's blasted 24x7 on the news or social media. This is going to be hard on that kid regardless... he is 8 and lost his mom to drug addiction... if something positive comes out of this publicity, that may help him reconcile his feelings. Time and a very loving and supporting group of friends and family is what he needs.

I didn't watch the video, but from reading the article I can comprehend what the dad was trying to accomplish with the message to other addicts. I think it was purely an emotional response. He clearly didn't think it through and consider all of the future ramifications to his child, due to this public video.I'm going to put in my mom-hat and say that he also needs to consider how his own current addiction will affect his and his son's health.

@sandman :Even really poor people have TV's .We have all been made aware drugs are bad & they can kill you .In newspapers , on line parents talking to their kids . It's just my opinion that he needs to be worried about his precious child that God gave him to protect ,love & teach & not saving the world at such a hurtful moment in his child's life .He can guide his child to being a spoke person later .

@DiverDude :I agree & what caring father would have been sitting across the table from his child . I would have had my child right next to me or on my lap & I assure you I'd have said it in the most gentle conversation I possibly could have .

@bbk :Well... and how's that working? Apparently people are still buying drugs like there's no tomorrow. So, I don't think more exposure is a bad thing.I stand by my opinion...

My heart goes out to that child. He will have to overcome this and by his dad choosing to post may very well cause the son to do drugs to cope. I am guessing the lady in the picture is his grandmother and I hope she has custody if she is clean. I just want to hug this kid.

I don't think anyone is going to watch a video made BY a loser ABOUT a loser and learn from it. Most people don't seek out junkies for knowledge.

my favorite part was when he said," Just kidding son , just don't do drugs."

@ginx
Is that your puppy? Adorable!

@sandman :
Just like an alcoholic you can have that 1st drink or not have it ,the choice is yours & same thing with drugs . This stuff isn't a disease like cancer is . You can eat healthy & exercise 3 x per week & still get cancer & die . All this other stuff you make a choice . You are told on TV , books , magazines , parents , friends , school teachers , church this crap is ADDITIVE ! So anyone as far as I'm concerned unless their living in a cave know before they ever do drugs it's addictive .So why does this little 8 yr old boy have to be filmed while his dad sits ACROSS THE TABLE FROM HIM CIGARETTE IN HAND ??? Most real dads would have had their child in their arms to tell them such a horrible thing . This guy wanted his 15 minutes of fame & could have cared less about his kid even the way he told him was so cold hearted .All the exposure in the world hasn't stopped drug use why not ??? People have to decide to stop & get help doing so in most cases .So more exposure isn't the answer .