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

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
I am writing to you today to introduce you to my son, Nicholas Zirlott, who will forever be 21
years of age even though he was born in 2001. He was lost to us because of a dose of
fentanyl. He lost his battle with mental health illness and addiction on Sept 23, 2022.
Nicholas was not always troubled by these problems. He was actually a very happy kid until
his teenage years. He was small for his age, but his personality was so large that it made up
for what he lacked in stature.
At a young age he already showed signs of being a service to his community. My son spent
the majority of his weekends at the local Volunteer Fire Department where he was an
inspiration to his adult leaders. He advanced and was given his own Fire Fighter uniform. In
Middle School came the induction into the Jr Honor Society with learning coming easy to him
without really studying. Nicholas always had a good firm handshake, gave the best hugs, and
was the first to take up for the “under dog” or for those that were being bullied. In Jr High Nic
became part of the School Band making it to first chair with solo parts in concert. Later he
joined ROTC and was a highly awarded Cadet for a time.
Mental health Issues reared its ugly head at around 16 years of age and led to many trips to a
variety of rehab facilities and eventually to a couple incarcerations in Mobile Co Jail for minor
offenses. At 21 years of age our family lost this sweet, loving young man to his battle with
mental health issues and addiction that led to an overdose of fentanyl.
As Governor of Alabama, I know that you are an advocate for making mental health help more
available. Your constituents and their children need to be educated about the dangers that
fentanyl presents. We are losing a whole generation of people and no one but the grieving
families, seem to even know that it is happening.
As I am sure you are aware, there is a physical memorial wall full of thousands of beautiful
faces that have been lost to the fentanyl in the DEA building in Washington DC. Sadly, they
have run out of room to display and honor the many that are dying daily.
We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and one with names. I am including
Nicholas’ frame, below. I am also including the brochure of virtual memorial walls, albums, and
our awareness campaign. These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also
like the photos displayed in hard copy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so
families can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated like
victims.
As an Ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall, I ask that you assist us in finding a
permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall within our Capitol.
Sincerely,
Amy Todd, Nicholas Zirlott’s mom
Dauphin Island, AL
1047