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"This gets more ridiculous everyday.  And what is even more ridiculous is the complete lack of effort on the part of this administration in getting the word effectively spread.  And where are State and local Public Health agencies in doing the same.  It is their immediate responsibility to alert the public to any Public Health emergency.   

Illicit Fentanyl, it’s analogs, and the manner in which they are deceptively distributed, is one of those emergencies, and is something that is not, but needs to immediately be put in the spotlight!!"

Quoted by Steve, a retired law enforcement officer, a husband, a father, a grandfather ... who knows firsthand the evilness of Illicit Fentanyl poisoning that has infiltrated the United States and killing people in record numbers.... including his beloved daughter, Jessica who leaves behind his beautiful granddaughter who he reminds everyday that her mother loved her so much and she is loved by her grandparents ... and they are so grateful to have her in their lives.  These senseless deaths affect so many ... not only the person addicted, but, their families that loved them so much.... and leave behind.  

Illicit Fentanyl poisonings need to be treated as homicides... not, accidental overdoses.  The stigma needs to change in this country with our law enforcement investigations of these deaths and our judicial systems with prosecutions.  

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The first thing I told the detective on the case was,

“I don’t want any other mommies to feel this way! I don’t want this guy to kill anyone else! Promise me you’ll get him!” 

I didn’t know Fentanyl was being sold in street drugs, on Snapchat, or in our community until Luca died. My need to warn the community (Awareness) outweighed my need for vengeance. Just so we’re clear vengeance and justice aren’t even close to each other.  In the beginning my mind was set on vengeance.  Justice will SAVE  lives, vengeance WON'T!

Fentanyl Poisoning is murder.   Most victims of Fentanyl Poisoning had no idea what was in the substance they were taking because they were told it was something else.  Counterfeit pills are becoming much more prevalent and easier for children to gain access to because of social media platforms like SNAPCHAT...  

Listen & Learn about the harsh realities of One Pill Can Kill about illicit Fentanyl being deceptively sold on SNAPCHAT... 

Amanda, the beautiful mother of her beautiful son, 13 year old Luca shares their story in this most transparent & informative interview...

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Imagine devoting your whole career serving your country as a Naval officer, then in law enforcement and now working for the federal government combating the drug crisis in America... and your own son succumbs to fentanyl poisoning.  

To protect this mans identity... He has agreed to an interview using a different name and being anonymous.  He fights this fight everyday of his life. 

He is one of many special agents across the United States and around the world who remain on the front lines of the global fight to identify, disrupt and dismantle cartels and other transnational criminal organizations.  These efforts have resulted in some of the most significant arrests of traffickers and seizures of illicit drugs across the globe.

He shares with us some of his experiences... that he is allowed to share without divulging his identity or the many tactics involved in tracking these criminals down who manufacture and sell ...and are killing people in record numbers in the US now with the distribution of illicit fentanyl... the same drug that killed his son.   

Listen & Learn.... 

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One day at a time... This is an interview with Freida, a mother who lost her only 2 sons.   Her oldest son to a homicide and 4 years later his brother died from Fentanyl poisoning.   Both died at the age of 24 years old.   This is Stephens and Michaels story shared by their mother.  

Ripple Effect...."We began to lose Michael when we lost Stephen"

As you can empathize, when Stephen died from a homicide... his family was devastated! 
 Freida channeled her grief by getting involved with homicide related death support groups, while Michael began his journey of opioid addiction by self-medicating to numb his pain.
The aftermath with the tragedy of losing his brother was overwhelming!

As Freida explains in her interview, there are similarities between GRIEF and ADDICTION.  Both are a process and we are always in recovery.   With the death of both of her sons, she turned to her strong faith.   She found purpose in this new chapter of her life as a grieving mother.  She found solace and strength to help others who shared similar griefs.   

KNOW HOPE NC originated from her son, Stephen.  He would tell her, "Mama,  Know Hope, there is always HOPE! RECOVERY is POSSIBLE.....Gotta know hope Mama"

The Mission of the non-profit Know Hope NC is... Remembering those we lost, giving HOPE to those who struggle & supporting those in recovery with drug addictions.   All in honor of her 2 sons lives!
Freida participates and facilitates grief support groups to help others who have lost their loved ones to either homicide or drug-related deaths.

Not understanding addiction....knowledge is not only powerful but it also generates compassion and patience.

http://www.knowhopenorthcarolina.com/

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RAPP, short for Relatives Against Purdue Pharma... An activist group who testified at hearings, lent support at whistle-blower trials and marched outside pharmaceutical-funded physician meetings to make their voices heard to bring awareness and education towards much-needed changes with the opioid crisis in America. 

Their leader was Ed Bisch, an I.T. worker from Philadelphia who’d lost his 18-year-old son, Eddie, in 2001. They called him the Godfather because he’d brought them together in the first place, via his website, OxyKills, shortly after Eddie’s death.

As for the Godfather, Ed Bisch still assumes his position every morning at his computer. “Purdue has never given a dime to the people they enslaved, I’d like to see anyone addicted get access to help, but it’s still going to be a mess.”

“I was so naïve in the beginning,” he added. Today, none of us can afford to be naïve about the intentions of a drug company — or the ability of government regulators to protect us from those who put profits above the public good.

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Zach purchased on SnapChat, what he thought was a Percocet.  That one pill ended his life with a lethal dose of Fentanyl.  Death by Deception!

Parents need to realize the drug paradigm has shifted dramatically since they themselves were teenagers. 

"My son would have never taken that pill if he knew the market was flooded by these counterfeit pills.  All you get is a rude awakening  when this happens.  We had no idea of this problem.  We were blindsided by the death of our son."

There is no public health awareness... no talk from our government on all levels.  

"Illicit Fentanyl KILLED MY SON.  I spent 17 years with my beautiful son.  He is my first thought when I wake up and my last thought when I go to bed.  That will never change!  The other thing that will never change - My crusade to warn and save others from these fake counterfeit pills full of lethal FENTANYL... "

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In 1999, after losing his son Danny in a drug-related shooting in New Orleans and lacking answers from police, a small town pharmacist – Dan Schneider – beats the odds when he embarks on a dogged pursuit to find and bring his son’s killer to justice. But months later, the ripple effects of his son’s addiction and tragic death would find him again when a troubling number of young, seemingly healthy people began visiting Dan’s pharmacy with high dose prescriptions for OxyContin. Sensing a crisis long before the opioid epidemic had gained nationwide attention, Dan stakes a mission: Save the lives of other sons and daughters within his community...then take the fight to Big Pharma itself.
His mission still carries on today in his relentless fight to bring awareness and education of the illicit Fentanyl crisis plaguing our country causing countless of deaths to our kids and young adults.
We are all in this together. Join Dan's movement at tunnelofhope.org.
Become a member of the Pharmacist Peoples Association... the PPA.
Be a part of the light at the end of the tunnel... The change begins with YOU!

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It is easy to judge.  It is more difficult to understand.  Understanding requires compassion, patience and a willingness to believe good hearts sometimes choose poor methods.  Through judging we separate.  Through understanding, we grow!  STOP the STIGMA...

"Momma, all I want is a normal life"... Peyton was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 16.  Age 19, he had a full hip replacement due to the extensive treatments that he received battling cancer.  He was prescribed pain medications to ease his excruciating pain.  This began his battle with an opioid addiction.  He died at age 23 from illicit fentanyl poisoning.

His story is unique and special... as he was as an individual.  Peyton's mother, Kelly feels strongly that transparency is so important in addressing the many issues of addiction.   With transparency,  people can develop empathy and compassion towards conquering STIGMA. 
It is up to each individual to open their minds, hearts and souls ... Listen & Learn!

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Derek S. Maltz, retired from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after 28 years of dedicated service.

Maltz was the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Special Operations Division (SOD) and previously held the position as the Chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is the oldest and largest drug task force in America.

Mr. Maltz is also a national security, safety executive who appears on national news networks as a subject matter expert.  Our subject today is the fentanyl crisis killing tens-of-thousands of people in this country.   From seasoned users battling opioid addiction to first-time users .... middle and high school age children buying counterfeit pills on social media.  Death by deception. 

Derek is an outstanding communicator.  He conveys his messages clearly, concisely and directly.  He says it , the way it is!

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Fatal Facts of Fentanyl

The Fatal Facts of Fentanyl is dedicated to raising awareness of the illicit fentanyl crisis hitting the USA.
It is killing tens-of-thousands of people who suffer from substance use disorders and first-time users.
There are no boundaries.
It is in every community within our country.
The fentanyl crisis is deadlier then ever before for various reasons.
It is time to address the many issues surrounding this crisis.
Change begins with each of us as individuals and collaboration with others towards this positive transformation.
The goal is to save lives and families from this travesty.
Awareness and Education are the key.
Knowledge is Power.