USA First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff

Dear First Lady Kathy Evers,
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall. I lost my son, Jeremy, on May
16, 2018, from heroin toxicity, and fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and Carfentanyl poisoning.
He will now be forever 26.
Jeremy had the most amazing smile and a loving heart and always tried to make others
happy even though he struggled with happiness himself. He loved to play sports. He had
a passion for the outdoors and loved hiking, fishing, and hunting. He worked as an auto
mechanic over the past few years and was excited to complete his degree at Madison
College but unfortunately still had two classes to go at the time of his passing. He had a
bright future cut way too short. Jeremy never got to see how many people truly cared
about him and loved him deeply. He had struggled with mental illness most of his life and
with his love of sports came many concussions which led to painkiller addiction and then
heroin. He suffered from substance use disorder on and off for 8 years. But even through
his own struggles, he was able to help many others who struggled with life and addictions.
As parents the dreams you once had for your child and the hopes you grasp onto change.
You hope that they will stay sober, stay healthy, be successful, and finally find peace. We
celebrated many dreams with Jeremy, especially all his successes. Now we do not get to
celebrate any more dreams or accomplishments and instead celebrate his angelversary
and a bereaved Mother's Day.
I know you are an advocate for the social and emotional learning and mental health of
children. Everyone needs to know the dangers presented to them daily by this epidemic. I
am committed to ending these losses and honoring the lives of my son and all those who
have been lost.
I share Jeremy's story in hopes of helping locally affected families who have lost their
loved ones as well as those currently struggling with substance use disorder and mental
health issues. By sharing his story, educating others, and raising awareness I hope to
affect change and end the stigma. The number of lives being lost is heartbreaking and
staggering. I started Speak Up for Jeremy and opened Jeremy’s Place – a sober living
home for men. I also recently started a support group for mothers in Wisconsin who have
lost a child to this epidemic. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories and see the number of
mothers grieving their children.
With the epidemic now involving fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, including Xylazine
(which is also increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply in Wisconsin), more lives
are being lost. We need to address the families grieving.
1023