A mother, Donna Watson of Charles City, Virginia, shares this story of losing her 31-year-old son in recovery, Troy Howlett, to illegally manufactured fentanyl, after the Hopewell, Virginia Police Department's use of the threat of jail to pressure Troy into becoming a police informant while he struggled to stay in recovery.
Texas Pictures contacted the Hopewell Police Department for comment regarding this story. We received no response. However, the link we sent the department to view a segment of Donna's interview, shared only with them, was viewed six times within the first four hours of sending it.
Illicit fentanyl is a dangerous, life-threatening drug frequently found in other illicit drugs and results in the death of 200 people per day in the US. This is just one of those stories and delivers an urgent warning to avoid all illicit drugs.
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Naloxone, the active ingredient in 4mg Narcan and higher dose 8mg Kloxxado, along with many generic versions, can reverse an opioid overdose if administered quickly enough. Some areas have Naloxone available for free. Google it.
In the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to connect with a caring counselor.