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

Dear First Lady Kristin:
First, I want to thank you for taking time to read this.
We need to ask for your help. There is an epidemic of young people dying from drug
overdoses or just plain being poisoned by fentanyl. In 2021, drug overdoses killed
106,999 people in the United States, with 77% of those deaths involving fentanyl. 4041 of
those deaths occurred in North Carolina---a 22% increase from the year before. Many
were first time users, who bought a pill to quell anxiety or pain, only to die because the pill
they bought, unbeknownst to them, was laced with fentanyl. Only a tiny amount of
fentanyl, the size of two or three grains of sand, will kill those who take it.
Never in the history of America have we had such a deadly drug battle. It is past time to
stand up and rally behind the fight against the drugs that are killing our loved ones; more
than that, to fight for our youth like their lives depend on it---because they now do.
I am joining with many other mothers and loved ones left behind, and I ask you for the
help this crisis deserves. We would like those who have died in this manner to be
recognized as victims, and to increase the public’s awareness pf this problem. They were
all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many, many others. Now, they are
victims of Chinese and Mexican Cartels that manufacture illicit drugs that they send
across the border to US drug dealers, who sell these pills without regard to their end
result.
To bring awareness to this drug epidemic, and to memorialize our loved ones who have
passed, we are creating a banner with our loved ones’ pictures. We need your help to
have a North Carolina Memorial Wall at our state capital. We would like the photos
displayed somewhere of significance in or around our state capital, so that parents, family,
friends and even strangers can see these beautiful faces and honor the lives lost too
soon. The wall of names, a virtual display reminiscent of the Vietnam Memorial, can be
projected on a wall so parents can touch their loved one's name.
I am the mother of one of these precious souls, Samuel Rush, who died when he was 32.
He is still very loved and missed. I am including his frame on the next page, as an
example of what we would like to do for all North Carolina victims. I am also including our
brochure of virtual memorial walls, albums, and our awareness campaign, along with the
NC Banner.
There seems to be an endless stream of precious lives ending. This drug epidemic has
touched all our lives in one way or another. We would appreciate any help you can give
us.
Thank you again for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sharon S. Rush, Lexington, NC 687