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

Dear Governor Kay Ivy,
I am the mother of Cody Poole. I would like to tell you a little about Cody’s background. My
husband and I adopted Cody as an infant. He is our biological grandson, born to our middle
daughter at the age of 16. Cody’s father was killed in an automobile accident before Cody’s
birth. My husband and I raised Cody as parents and grandparents. At the time of Cody’s birth
our youngest daughter was eight years old. They were best friends growing up and had a
brother and sister bond. At the age of 24 my daughter was killed in an automobile accident.
Cody was 16 years old, confused and emotionally broken. He turned to marijuana and Xanax
to cope with his pain. My husband and I were unaware, we too were broken and trying to
cope. Cody‘s drug use spiraled out of control, by the time he was 24 years old. He was a drug
addict. Cody went to at least five rehabs: tried cold turkey, natural remedies and yes, prayers
with each failed attempt Cody was ashamed, apologetic, broken and felt worthless, and with
each failed attempt the drug dealers were there preying and waiting for Cody‘s weakest
moment .Cody was sentenced to 48 days in jail for a probation violation in December of 2022.
He was released on 2/2/23,the last time we saw Cody was 2/5/23. He was dropped off at a
drug dealer’s house by a friend that day. Cody lived one week after his release. As I stated
earlier the drug dealers were there waiting eagerly, but this time the drug dealer supplied Cody
with a deadly dose of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Cody lived in a tiny house on our
property, that’s where my husband found him 2/8/23 no drugs no drug paraphernalia so
basically, they gave him the deadly dose and dropped him off at home to die.
Cody was the most loving kindhearted person I’ve ever known, but he was also an addict and
of course he acted out of character under the influence, but never once was he disrespectful
to my husband or myself. It took Cody’s death and research to understand addiction is a
disease and until we all realize that and get the justice, we and they deserve by holding the
drug dealers accountable for their actions, “Drug Induced Homicide”, it’s not going to stop.
My child is a victim. He didn’t plan or intend on becoming an addict. He was drawn in and
became a victim of the drug dealers. I pray that our state of Alabama will honor my child and
all victims of addiction with a Drug Epidemic memorial wall. A fallen warrior is still a warrior
and weakness doesn’t equal wickedness. My prayer is the memorial wall will also serve as a
tool for awareness concerning drugs, and specifically fentanyl “America’s deadly epidemic”.
Thank you for taking time to read some of Cody’s story. Our hearts are forever broken, our life
will never be normal again. We’re prayerfully awaiting a decision.
Respectfully,
Phyllis and John Wheeler, parents of Cody Poole Forever loved, forever missed, forever 31
Mobile, Alabama
1053