Wisconsin mother aims to reduce stigma for accidental fentanyl deaths

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A Pewaukee mom whose son died after she says he unknowingly consuming fentanyl created a billboard marketing campaign to make individuals extra conscious concerning the deadly drug.

Erin Rachwal launched the Love, Logan Basis in June to honor her 19-year-old son Logan who died after taking a fentanyl-laced Percocet. Rachwal stated Logan didn’t know the tablet contained fentanyl. Logan was dwelling within the UW-Milwaukee dorms on the time.

She spoke at a potluck Tuesday in Madison at M3 Insurance coverage for extra accessible Narcan, fentanyl schooling and to cut back the disgrace that may go hand-in-hand with drug-related deaths.

Rachwal stated her son’s demise and different related deaths ought to be thought of a fentanyl “poisoning” not an “overdose.”

”Overdose is taking an excessive amount of of one thing. It’s deliberately taking an excessive amount of and you then go otherwise you die,” she stated. “It is a very small quantity of one thing is put in one thing and also you didn’t know what you have been getting.”

She began a billboard marketing campaign in Waukesha County and Instances Sq. in New York Metropolis that includes faces of younger individuals who died after consuming fentanyl. The billboards characteristic Solar Prairie mom Dana Tanner’s son Ryan Tanner.

Ryan was 29-years-old when he was killed by what Dana calls a “fentanyl poisoning”. He left behind a 5-year-old-son. She stated they have been about to go away for a Disney trip and that Ryan didn’t knowingly eat the drug.

Rachwal and Tanner met for the primary time in-person on the Madison potluck.

”When it turns into a stigma of a drug I simply actually wanted to achieve out to folks who had the identical factor who I may relate to since you really feel alone,” Tanner stated.

Each moms urge different dad and mom to speak to their youngsters scuffling with dependancy, nervousness or some other points which may result in drug use.

Rachwal says serving to forestall deaths brought on by fentanyl and talking with others concerning the situation helps her heal.

”All we will do now’s use their lives to avoid wasting different lives,” she stated. “That’s all we will do. We will’t deliver our youngsters again however we may help each different particular person. I can go searching and say I may help that baby.”

In early August, PHMDC issued a public well being alert after reporting a drug overdose fee 50% increased than standard in Dane County.

Copyright 2022 WMTV. All rights reserved.