A woman who lives in Fort Worth is planning a fourth rally this weekend to warn other families about fentanyl. The CDC says overdose deaths among people ages 14 to 18 increased 109% from 2019 to 2021.
Stephanie Hellstern's 16 year old son died from a fentanyl overdose in July of 2020. She says her son thought he was buying a Percocet pill.
"It wasn't just laced with fentanyl, it was pure fentanyl," she says.
The Drug Enforcement Administration says two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal. Hellstern says her son had 12 milligrams in his system when he died.
Hellstern has launched the "North Texas Fentanyl Coalition." She says the organization now has 60 members. She says she has also worked on panels set up by Governor Greg Abbott to provide education and awareness.
Hellstern's group has set up three rallies outside the Tarrant County Courthouse to hand out pamphlets and give people information about fentanyl.
"Literally, you can buy drugs, alcohol or anything from Snapchat or social media," she says. "There are codes our parents and everybody need to know."
She says the group will hold another rally outside the courthouse Saturday.
"I'm just trying to bring awareness to parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, anybody who has kids," Hellstern says. "We need to be talking to our kids as young as three and four that fentanyl is being mixed in with gummy bears and Nerds."
Fort Worth City Councilwoman Gyna Bivens has told Hellstern she would give her number to the president of the Fort Worth ISD school board.
Several organizations are participating in the rally Saturday in Downtown Fort Worth. The event runs from 2-4 pm outside the Tarrant County Courthouse at 100 E. Weatherford St. Details are available online.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD