The fentanyl crisis has escalated into a significant public health emergency, largely due to the widespread production of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far stronger than heroin. On the five-year anniversary of her son’s death, Diana Estep shared her heart-wrenching story about losing her eldest son, Drew, to a deadly dose of fentanyl. Drew’s struggles began early, with challenges stemming from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “Like most kids his age,” Estep recalled, “he wanted to do everything he could to fit in when he hit high school.” Unfortunately, this desire for acceptance led him down a dark path of addiction, starting with marijuana and spiraling into more dangerous substances.
Estep detailed how Drew fought against his addiction but ultimately found himself trapped. “These programs just want money,” she stated, expressing her frustration with countless rehabilitation attempts that failed to help her son. “The demons followed Drew wherever he went,” she lamented, as he struggled to find peace within himself. Despite moments of hope when he managed to get clean, the grip of addiction remained strong. Tragically, Estep recalled October 7, 2020—the day Drew accidentally consumed fentanyl while believing he was taking heroin. “He thought he was taking heroin, but in reality, he was poisoned by fentanyl,” she explained.
The potency of fentanyl is alarming, with only two milligrams capable of causing death in an average adult. This synthetic opioid is often mixed with other drugs, heightening the risks. Drew was among a growing number of individuals whose lives have been shattered by this crisis. “As parents,” Estep noted, “my husband and I had drawn the line on this addiction, but he knew he could just text the word ‘help,’ and we would always go get him.” Tragically, that call didn’t come in this case. On October 11, 2020, Drew’s lifeless body was discovered by authorities.
Estep poignantly captured the distress of families facing addiction when she said, “If you’ve never dealt with addiction, you can’t understand how hard this fight is to save a loved one from its grip.” The aftermath of Drew’s death left her family in grief and turmoil, but it also spurred Estep into action. “Even in his death, I realized I can’t just walk away from addiction and never say the word drugs again,” she shared.
Her advocacy took a significant step forward when she supported the HALT Fentanyl Act, which was signed by the former president. This legislation significantly strengthens the fight against the horrific impact of fentanyl. “Society causes a stigma around addiction,” she remarked, highlighting the societal barriers that hinder understanding and acceptance. “I have to warn parents that a child’s use of drugs today is like flipping a coin,” Estep emphasized. “They may think they’re taking something for anxiety from a friend, self-medicating, and all it takes is that one mistake to lose a life.”
The alarming prevalence of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl presents a deadly reality. Recent tests have shown that a significant number of fake prescription pills analyzed contained potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. “When Drew began using drugs back in 2014, there wasn’t fentanyl on the streets,” Estep pointed out, underscoring the shift in the drug landscape over the past several years. “But today, you might try a pill or something the first time and survive, but in time, the next one will kill you.”
Drew’s struggle with addiction illustrates a tragic reality. He understood the risks and often spoke out against drug use. “He said so many times that he would just tell people don’t ever try drugs. If you don’t start, you don’t have to do this,” Estep recounted. Her sorrow was evident when she said, “Truth be told, I was mourning him before he was even gone.” Each shared memory reflects a deeper issue surrounding addiction—a fight that transcends individual substance use.
Estep’s journey is a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against addiction. The ripple effects of her son’s life and death will continue to resonate, urging others to confront the complexities of substance use. “You don’t have to experience addiction directly to understand its weight,” she said. Her story embodies a call to become more aware of the dangers lurking within seemingly innocent choices, raising poignant awareness for families everywhere.
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