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

Dear First Lady Gwen Walz,
Travis J Gustavson, of Mankato, Minnesota, was murdered on February 24, 2021,
because of fentanyl poisoning. He was only 21 years old. Travis grew up in Mankato,
and went to church, school, and worked there. He had many friends and he loved to
spend time camping, fishing, and hiking with friends and family. He had dreams and
goals for his future. Unfortunately, like thousands of young people across our country,
his dreams and goals were crushed on February 24, 2021, at 8:55pm. He didn’t ask for
fentanyl, and didn’t know he was getting fentanyl, because no one told him that fentanyl
was being mixed into other substances, and he subsequently died. He now lies in
Glenwood Cemetery, next to his Grandpa Roger. Our family was left behind, hearts
broken, and our lives completely changed. We try to understand how this happened to
him and why. The first few months, we were in shock, trying to accept that he was really
gone. After that, the horrendous pain continues to grow, and we now know, as difficult
as it is, that we will just have to learn to live with this tragedy.
Though his life was taken from us, we continually make sure that his story is told, and
he is making a difference for other young people’s future. His family’s goal is to bring
awareness to everyone, but mainly young adults, about counterfeit pills looking like
prescription opioids but laced with fentanyl, being sold in our country. There is too much
ignorance and stigma in our culture regarding substance use, and we need to fix that.
It’s keeping people struggling, and their families from reaching out for help. We believe
that awareness about this issue needs to be promoted through education in our
schools. We are obligated to make sure that no child or adult dies because “no one
told them about the danger of obtaining opioids without a prescription from a doctor.”
We advocate for change regarding the stigma of mental health, substance abuse,
addiction and primarily fentanyl poisoning in Travis’s name.
Sincerely the family of Travis Gustavson:
Mom, Kimberly Gustavson, Mankato, MN
Stepfather,Jason Lange,
Grandmother, Nancy Sack
Brothers, Matthew Gustavson and Carter Lange
Nephew, Isaac Gustavson
Aunt, Katie Tettam
Cousin and best friend, Andrew
Cousins, Emily and Jacob, and many friends.
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