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

Dear First Lady Kristin Cooper,
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I’d like to introduce myself, Sharon Sawyer, NC
resident and grieving mother, and Regional Leader for NC and 5 other states. I am part of a
national group called The Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall. We are groups in all 50 states of grieving
moms, families, friends, and community advocates, all fighting this Drug Epidemic caused by the
illegal opioid, Fentanyl. I lost my beloved son, Chase Wilson, forever 30, on September 4, 2020,
to fentanyl poisoning. Although my heart is forever broken and our lives forever changed, I
strongly feel I must be his voice. I must fight to honor him, and all the loved ones lost during this
epidemic.
In 2021, 106,699 people died in our country due to opioid poisonings, with over two-thirds of these
deaths involving fentanyl. That year in North Carolina, a total of 4041 died from overdoses---a
22% increase from the year before. 77% of those deaths involved fentanyl. Many were first time
users who thought they were buying a pill to help with pain or anxiety, only to die because that pill
was laced with fentanyl. Knowing that the future is in our children, coupled with the knowledge of
the harm this deadly drug epidemic is causing daily, is all consuming for the victims’ families and
the communities they live in.
I am joining together with many others and asking you for your help. We would like those who
have died in North Carolina because of this drug epidemic to be recognized as victims of fentanyl,
and to increase awareness of this problem.
The Drug Epidemic Memorial team has 1) created two virtual memorials---a display of pictures of
our lost loved ones, and a virtual Wall of Names, fashioned after the Viet Nam Memorial in
Washington, DC and 2) created physical banners for EACH STATE with pictures of our loved
ones. and we now ask for your help in creating a permanent memorial in the Capitol Building, or
on the grounds somewhere of significance.
I am including my son’s frame below as an example of how we would like each victim honored.
I am also including a link to our virtual brochure of our memorial walls, albums, banners, and our
campaign to increase awareness of this horrible drug and the effects it causes.
The digital walls and albums update automatically. We would like a permanent memorial around
the Capitol so that parents, family, friends and even strangers can see these beautiful faces and
honor the lives lost too soon.
Now is the time to honor those lost, and to continue our awareness campaign to protect our youth
and society. A group of mom and dads would love to meet with you to discuss how you can help
us make this happen. We will contact your office to schedule a meeting.
Forever Shattered,
Sharon Sawyer
Hillsborough, NC
673