BOISE, Idaho — On Friday, eight families who lost their loved ones to fentanyl poisoning or overdoses shared their stories during an Idaho Family Summit.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Idaho organized the event with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Idaho Office of Drug Policy.
"It was the first summit," attendee Terina Taylor said. "So, you know, a little was unknown from us what was going to happen, but it turned out to be a really healing day of us telling our stories, and also them telling their side what they're doing to help with this with this crisis."
Taylor's music-loving son, Zachary, died in 2021 at the age of 26.
"One pill. He wouldn't have known that would kill him," Taylor said. "He wouldn't have taken it."
She is not alone in her grief. Shadrach Tuck's brother also died in 2021 because of fentanyl poisoning. He was 22.
"TJ was a brilliant, bright kid who brought a lot of joy and love to people's lives," Tuck said.
Matthew Gomm, Idaho's DEA assistant special agent in charge, said the number of people dying from fentanyl keeps growing, especially among the youngest generation.
DEA data shows seven out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. He called Friday's summit, the first of its kind in Idaho, a success.
"It gave [families] a platform to share the stories and then give an education to those families and other local federal partners on what's happening on the education for the fentanyl crisis," he said.
Tuck said the harsh reality is most people know someone battling a drug addiction. In some cases, they may be battling an addiction themselves.
"There doesn't need to be a stigma around fentanyl or overdoses in general or drug use and addiction," he said. "It's a pandemic, quite frankly. So, I'm glad to see that ... in our state, it's being talked about."
Education is key, Taylor said.
"People have no idea that this is happening," she said. "They think it's somebody on the streets. It's not. It's kids of all types. Kids that have never experienced it and want to experience something or try something, and it's killing them, killing them with a half pill or a pill."
Gomm said the DEA works with federal and state prosecutors to hold people accountable who are bringing fentanyl and other drugs into Idaho.
"We're working tirelessly to bring those people to justice and hold them accountable for what they're doing," he said.
Governor Brad Little recently signed a bill creating mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking. Another bill legalizing fentanyl test strips is headed to the governor as well.
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