Mothers Against Drug Addiction & Deaths

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Families walking together in their fight against fentanyl and other synthetic drugs is crucial for several reasons. Both National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day and International Overdose Awareness Day are important observances that serve to educate the public, honor those who have been affected, and advocate for change. Here's why unity and mutual respect between these observances are essential:

# # # 1. **Collective Strength and Support**
- When families unite in their mission to combat the devastating effects of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, they create a powerful community of support. This collective strength is vital in raising awareness, advocating for better policies, and providing emotional support to those who have lost loved ones or are struggling with addiction.

# # # 2. **Comprehensive Awareness**
- National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day highlights the specific dangers of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has been responsible for a significant rise in drug deaths. On the other hand, International Overdose Awareness Day addresses the broader issue of overdose from various substances. Both days bring attention to critical issues, and by observing both, we ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the drug crisis.

# # # 3. **Avoiding Division**
- It's important not to cancel one observance in favor of the other because each serves a unique purpose. Disparaging one in favor of the other could create unnecessary division among groups that should be united in their efforts. Instead, we should appreciate the different focuses of these observances and recognize that they are part of the same broader struggle against the opioid crisis. At Facing Fentanyl we stand firmly that each life lost to ANY DRUG DEATH IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT.

# # # 4. **Adapting to a Changing Landscape**
- Synthetic drugs like fentanyl have dramatically altered the landscape of drug use and death. The potency and availability of these drugs mean that traditional approaches to prevention and awareness must evolve. By uniting efforts across different observances and communities, we can better adapt to these changes and implement more effective strategies to save lives.

# # # 5. **Unity in Saving Lives**
- The ultimate goal of both National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day and International Overdose Awareness Day is to save lives. By working together, families, advocates, and communities can amplify their voices and efforts, leading to greater public awareness, stronger advocacy, and more resources for prevention and treatment. In this united front, the chances of making a real difference in reducing drug deaths are significantly increased.

In summary, the observance of both days should NOT be seen as competing efforts but rather as complementary parts of a unified mission to address the opioid crisis in all its forms. Recognizing the unique contributions of each observance and fostering collaboration across communities is essential in the ongoing fight to save lives.


Voices for Awareness Foundation
Facing Fentanyl Media
VOID Victims Of Illicit Drugs
Alexander Neville Foundation Opioid & Fentanyl Education
Michael Fiore
Jaime Ignacio Puerta

💜Daniella💜Forever 13💜Poisoned by Fentanyl💜Have we had enough?!? Join the FIGHT!

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We aren’t doing enough. We need a Covid-sized response and awareness campaign.

DEA Releases 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

I had a great childhood, great parents. I went to college & became addicted to dope at 19. I went to grad school and started going to AA. I got a masters degree, became a licensed therapist, LCSW.

4 months later, I did H for the 1st time. Within a year, I lost my license to practice therapy, was homeless, hustling & getting arrested; then came the years of probations/ paroles, jails, programs, hospitalizations. Now I have 10+ page criminal record. I almost lost my left leg, right foot & left arm due to the needle.

2018 I went to Mexico to kick "one last time". I was terrified to go back to Boston so I stayed in Mexico, committing crime, getting arrested several times by federales and national guard. 2019, both my parents died. My dad 09/03/19, my mom 12/02/2019.

I was exhausted from misery, losing hair, not sleeping or eating. I finally made the decision to change. I started researching about healing and spirituality, how to heal my past. A lot of meditating, reading/writing.

Today, I still live in Mexico. I have a puppy named India. In January I started a podcast "The Hope Chase" about addiction, recovery and healing.
My purpose is to share my story. I always thought my story was "too bad" to recover from. I thought I deserved to suffer through life. I never thought a life without substances was possible. Yet here I am 🙏🏼

By Godfrey Desh:
“My daughter was clean for just over a year from using he**in. She kicked the dragon square in the balls and I didn’t think she was ever gonna look back for it.
She promised me that she’s NEVER going back to H
She said “Daddy, I don’t want to go back to that stuff ever again”.
I remind her what I told her at the Narcan meeting:
“If you can’t kick the dragon for good I will be the one to zip you up, but I will be with you every step of the way when you need me”.
I don’t know why she didn’t call me like she promised.
It hurts so bad that she didn’t call.
Now before you get all pissy with me for saying that I will zip her up, You have got to understand my daughter’s and my relationship.
It’s a loving relationship that shines.
I would ALWAYS be there to bail her out of whatever she got herself into, but now here I was, a father who was desperate for my daughter NEVER TO USE AGAIN and didn’t know how else to put it.
I thought the Love she had for me would keep her from going back to that drug ever again.
Well, that didn’t happen.
At 5:50 pm I got the call from the Det at Eastlake Police that my daughter was found dead in her bed from an overdose.
I immediately fell to my knees in the snow and began to cry like a baby.
I could not believe that my Tigger had done this.
I tell the Det that I am on my way and got there in record time.
STOP READING HERE cause it’s going to be very descriptive.
Just stop here and know I love her and kept my word to her... but on the other hand I need everyone to understand how very bad this s**t is so you NEVER have to experience what we are right now.
I walked up the stairs to her room and there was Karisten sitting in her bed.
She had hit such an lethal dose that when she went into a hemorrhaging arrest that she sat up from her pillows she was propped on in her bed, had her arms straight out with a slight bend at the elbow, fists clenched, with her thumbs tucked under her fingers grasping so tight at what looked like she was trying to grab life back in her.
She was all blue faced,veins out, had a little blood from her nose and her teeth were so tight together that her mouth wouldn’t open.
I was told I couldn’t touch my daughter in case there was any lethal powder still on her.
I ask for gloves and glove up cause I’ll be damned if I’m not going to help my daughter One last time or hug her and let her know I Love her.
Well, I kept my word and spread the bag out and carefully placed her in it to say goodbye to her so they can find out what it was that she took.
I zipped her up in her body bag and helped them carefully place her on the cot.
I’m not looking for pity or trolling for comments.
I just want ALL of you to know that no matter who you are or what you do or how perfect you think someone is, that this He**in s**t can come into anybody’s life and destroy it.
Do not be blind to this.
AND DO NOT LET THIS DRUG FOOL YOU!!!
Please, please, please, wrap your arms around your loved ones and let them know how much you care and love them, because tomorrow is never guaranteed and I urge you all to share this post.
Maybe, just maybe, it’ll help another family.
Rest easy Karisten Lyn Shermann.
I miss you so much, my heart is broken, and I LOVE YOU so very very much."

https://www.businessinsider.com/robert-de-niro-grandson-cause-of-death-disbelief-leandro-2024-2

Robert De Niro says he was in 'disbelief' when he learned his 19-year-old grandson had died: 'It shouldn't have happened' Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, the 19-year-old grandson of actor Robert De Niro, died of a drug overdose. He was the son of De Niro's adopted daughter.

exhausted & heartbroken but continuing the fight…

https://www.npr.org/2023/12/28/1220881380/overdose-fentanyl-drugs-addiction

In 2023 fentanyl overdoses ravaged the U.S. and fueled a new culture war fight Fentanyl fueled unprecedented carnage with 112,000 fatal overdoses. The nation is increasingly divided over how to respond.

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Crime is out of control in San Francisco because it is short 540 police officers. Now, the city's top progressive Democrat wants to cut $100 million from the police budget. The reason? He views criminals as victims and the police as oppressors propping up the capitalist system.

Progressive Democrat Calls For Defunding Police In San Francisco City Supervisor Dean Preston calls for cutting $100 million from police budget, despite city being short 540 officers

I’m no hero but I feel so blessed to be honored in this way. 🙏

San Francisco’s Activist and Political Heroes in 2023 - Beyond Chron SF's activist and political heroes 2023

Working together brings positive change. Grateful that MADAAD is part of the team.

The influx of illicit fentanyl into this country is lowering the American life expectancy.

We MUST do more to interdict the flow of this deadly drug that is killing our loved ones 💔

Some Key Facts About Fentanyl It’s lowering American life expectancy and influencing the nation’s politics.

"We cannot close our eyes. We cannot look the other way.”
~ Alberto Carvalho - Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District

As more teens overdose on fentanyl, schools face a drug crisis unlike any other Fentanyl-related teen overdose deaths nearly tripled from 2019 to 2021. As the school year gets under way, families in mourning urge education leaders to respond.

Welcome. Thank you for joining us. Private Message us if you need to. DMs are open.
Lynne Dvoracek, Ruben Pena, Anne Wagoner Hunt, Ande Westwood Hall

International Overdose Awareness Day in San Francisco. Painful & Beautiful. Thank you to my son, Corey for joining us ❣️you’re a light but you don’t see it. 💔

We remember our angels every day, and on this night, we come TOGETHER to share our memories and to support families impacted by fentanyl poisoning to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs and prevent others from harm. Light a candle every night from 8/21 to 8/31 in remembrance of those lost from fentanyl poisoning and overdose, and join Voices for Awareness in Denver across from the capital at Liberty Park for a candlelight vigil on 8/20 for National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness.

Stigma Reduction One in 7 Americans reports experiencing a substance use disorder. There is not one single driving factor that leads to addiction. Some people may use drugs to help cope with stress, trauma, or to help with mental health issues. Some may even develop opioid use disorder after misusing opioids they ar...

A last resort: Families turn to private contractors to help children lost to the street Part private investigator, part street clinician, a self-described crisis interventionist takes to the street to help one mother reconnect with a daughter who is homeless and mentally ill.

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it’s clear what needs to be done to help our fellow citizen who are suffering with addiction.

Bell: Smith cabinet minister guts the Left's lunacy on drug addiction Premier Danielle Smith hands Alberta government point man on drugs Dan Williams his marching orders, he slams left-wing addiction policy

https://apple.news/A1bcn_KL7T520UtDcU2tRmw

Nearly 90% of teens and young adults have mental health challenges, survey finds — San Francisco Chronicle Nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. teens and young adults say they experience mental health challenges regularly, according to a national survey released Thursday by the Harris Poll and health insurer Blue Shield of California.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/health/portland-oregon-drugs.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Scenes From a City That Only Hands Out Tickets for Using Fentanyl Oregon’s experiment to curb overdoses by decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drugs is in its third year, and life has changed for most everyone in the city of Portland.

MADAD visited Venice Beach to learn more about homelessness/mental health and addiction services in the LA area. We met with staff of Councilwoman Tracy Parks.

Honored to have met with SF Mayor London Breed yesterday.

https://www.wave3.com/2023/07/06/father-indicted-after-baby-dies-fentanyl-poisoning/

Father indicted after baby dies of fentanyl poisoning Christopher Vanmeter is being held in the Bullitt County Jail on a half-million dollar bond.