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

Dear First Lady Cooper:
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, Darren L. Bostic Jr. , who died on February 25,
2022. He was murdered in Richmond County, NC, by Fentanyl in a fake Percocet. He will be
forever 28. 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,
Sheila Bostic
Rockingham, NC
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