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Florida Moms Combat Fentanyl Poisoning

Three Florida moms are taking a stand to tell the general public in regards to the risks of fentanyl after shedding their kids to the lethal drug.

Rhonda Willis misplaced her 27-year-old son, Zachary Willis, in 2022.

“Toxicology came back with the Oxy with the fentanyl, and he had enough fentanyl in his system to kill 20 people,” she told Tampa’s News Channel 8.

According to the heartbroken mom, understanding that she “can never hug him again, or hold him again, or tell him I love him, or hear his voice” is a “parent’s worst nightmare.”

Over 3,000 people died from fentanyl poisoning in Florida from January to June 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found.

The metropolis of St. Petersburg suffered probably the most fentanyl deaths with 374.

A digital camera crew has lately been documenting the tragedies round Tampa, which got here in fourth place at 267 fentanyl deaths.

Heidi Kettles was simply 27 when she handed away after utilizing the extreme opioid in 2020.

“In the middle of the night she died, and it was fentanyl and cocaine,” stated her mom, Julie Kettles.

Tammy Plakstis additionally misplaced her son, Dylan Plakstis, in 2020.

“They Narcan’d him three times and they were able to get a heartbeat, but he ended up being brain dead,” she advised the native outlet.

While the three moms didn’t know one another previous to their respective interviews, their losses and newfound activism carry them collectively on one mission: saving lives.

“My sorrow, my pain will never be over,” stated Kettles. “Has it eased some? Yes. I also lead a grief support group, so by helping others and having that calling to do that, it helps me.”

The grieving mothers put up billboards and communicate at public occasions along with taking part in numerous teams.

According to Willis, “The more awareness that we can get out, then the more lives that can be saved.”

“The goal is to not have other parents go through what I have experienced, it is a very rough road,” she added.
Plakstis stated she works with the anti-drug group Rachel’s Angels to place up consciousness billboards and distribute Narcan.

“If this whole raising awareness can just save one, just one life, then my son did not have to die for nothing,” Willis added.

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