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Mother glad accused drug dealers responsible for overdose deaths

Posted at 6:04 PM, May 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-16 21:43:49-04

TULSA -- Sareva Greenhaw's son, Cody, passed away at just 16-years-old in 2004.

She said he was at a house party and spent the night there. He did not wake up the next morning. Cody died of a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol.

"When we got to church and the police were there they took us upstairs and told us that Cody died," Greenhaw said.

Greenhaw said the medical examiner found methadone and alcohol in his system.

She said there was no crime scene investigation done and now laws in place to hold anyone accountable, so no one was charged in his death.

"When you feel like the person who is responsible for their death is held accountable, you feel like there is some justice and there is some peace," Greenhaw said.

Recently, the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office has started cracking down on accused drug dealers who sell the lethal dose of drugs to someone. They are being charged with first-degree murder.

Just this week, John Bivens was charged with first-degree murder for a woman's overdose on heroin.

He is the second person in less than a month to be charged in similar scenarios in Tulsa County.

Greenhaw said she wishes this action was being taken when Cody died.

She has spent the years following his death fighting for legislation. Cody's Law was passed to hold adults responsible when minors are injured or die at house parties they host.

It all comes down to holding someone responsible.

"Your child or your loved one’s death is receiving justice," Greenhaw said.

Greenhaw said she is glad for the two families who are seeing someone be held accountable. She is thankful that other people cannot fall victim to the same dealers.

"It’s saving lives," Greenhaw said. "Who knows whether it’s one or 20."

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