Staff Reports
The California billboard along Interstate 5 is a somber testament to the brutal toll of the fentanyl epidemic. Illuminated by an electronic display, it showcases the faces of more than a dozen individuals who tragically succumbed to fentanyl poisoning in the Sacramento area. This impactful initiative, orchestrated by Drug Induced Homicide, has received crucial backing from the mothers of the victims, who refuse to let their loved ones' deaths be forgotten.
Mareka Cole, one of the grieving mothers whose son, Marek, fell victim to fentanyl poisoning, bravely shared her anguish, describing the painful reality of belonging to a sorrowful club no one wishes to join. The anguish and devastation caused by fentanyl tear families apart, and the billboard serves as a poignant symbol of their resolve to combat this epidemic.
The faces of fentanyl victims are looking down on drivers in California after an electronic billboard was erected to raise awareness of the epidemic stealing lives every day.https://t.co/rXnyRmKb1G
— Luke Gentile (@lukegentile21) March 12, 2024
Sharon Freeman, another mother grappling with the loss of her son, Riley, to fentanyl poisoning, passionately called for stricter legislation to hold fentanyl dealers accountable for their actions. She boldly asserted that it amounts to nothing short of murder, underscoring the imperative need for justice in the battle against fentanyl-related fatalities.
The efforts seen in California are part of a larger movement. In 2023, mothers in Alabama joined forces with Rachel's Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to educating youth and parents about drug dangers, to erect similar billboards shedding light on the fentanyl crisis. Cindy DeMaio, who founded Rachel's Angels after losing her daughter to fentanyl, eloquently expressed the heart-wrenching toll of losing a child to this deadly substance.
The courageous stories of these mothers and their relentless pursuit to confront the fentanyl epidemic serve as a powerful call to action. Their unwavering commitment to preventing further tragedies underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and decisive measures to address this crisis. Holding fentanyl dealers accountable for their deadly deeds is not just a matter of justice—it's a vital step toward safeguarding communities and saving lives.
