On Point with Juandolyn Stokes welcomed Tasha Edwards to our "Sister Talk" segment to share her work on her campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of Fentanyl after the death of her 18-year-old daughter, BreAnna Scott in 2020.
Scott died in May of 2020 after she was given a Fentanyl pill instead of a Percocet.
Percocet is a highly addictive Schedule II narcotic that is available by prescription to treat moderate to severe pain.
According to the Centers for Disease (CDC), Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
"I never had an opportunity to talk to my child about Fentanyl because I didn't know about it," said Edwards.
There are two types of Fentanyl pharmaceutical fentanyl, prescribed by a doctor and illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is found on the streets and is responsible for the huge amount of overdose deaths every day.
Fentanyl is highly addictive. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is used to treat severe pain after surgery or to treat cancer when given by prescription. Illicit Fentanyl is dangerous even in small amounts.
"I didn't know what Fentanyl was until I saw it on my daughter's death certificate," Edwards said.
Since then, she has traveled around sharing her story when presented with the opportunity. "If given the opportunity, I'm going to share," she added.
One misconception she does not want parents to get comfortable with is the idea that their child would never try a drug.
You do not have to be a drug addict to try a Fentanyl pill; Edwards says her daughter was not a drug addict.
"My perspective on life in general has helped me plus I know I am not is not the first parent to bury a child and I won't be the last," she added.
"Parents must tell their kids if a doctor doesn't give it [a pill] to you or your parents, don't take it," said Edwards.
Percocet is a highly addictive Schedule II narcotic that is available by prescription to treat moderate to severe pain.
