'New normal': Nashville mayor back at work after son's death

August 7, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. | Updated August 7, 2017 at 2:30 p.m.

by Associated Press

In this Sept. 25, 2015, photo, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, center, is hugged by her son, Max, as her husband, Bruce, left, applauds after she was sworn into office in Nashville, Tenn. A statement released Sunday, July 30, 2017, from Megan and Bruce Barry, said their only child, Max Barry, died Saturday night in Denver from an apparent drug overdose. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
In this Sept. 25, 2015, photo, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, center, is hugged by her son, Max, as her husband, Bruce, left, applauds after she was sworn into office in Nashville, Tenn. A statement released Sunday, July 30, 2017, from Megan and Bruce Barry, said their only child, Max Barry, died Saturday night in Denver from an apparent drug overdose. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Nashville Mayor Megan Barry says she's facing a new normal as she resumes her duties about a week after her 22-year-old son died of an apparent drug overdose.

On her first day back at work, Barry said during a news conference Monday that she hopes her family's openness about their son Max's death will inspire parents to have frank conversations with their children about drugs.

She said Max Barry was with friends near Denver when a drug overdose killed him on July 29, though it's still unclear what combination. Toxicology results are pending.

She said her son completed a month of rehab last summer. Afterward, he graduated from the University of Puget Sound.

The mayor started Monday by delivering backpacks to elementary school students on the first day of classes.

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