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

Dear First Lady Kristin Cooper:
In 2021, 106,699 people died in our country due to opioid poisonings, with over two-thirds
of these deaths involving fentanyl. In North Carolina, a total of 4041 died from overdoses
that year, 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 harm this deadly drug epidemic is causing daily, is all
consuming for the victims’ families and the communities they live in.
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 must join in union with the world and ask you for the help this subject deserves. We
would like our loved ones 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. We want to
build a permanent memorial for our children and loved ones who are the victims of this
drug epidemic, and we’re asking you to stand with us in this matter. Hopefully you can
commit your time, resources, and status to help us get this done.
These digital walls and albums update automatically. 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.
Although I have not personally lost a child in this epidemic, I do have grandchildren to
protect from these deadly drugs, and I have many friends who also have loved ones they
want to safeguard from this deadly scourge. A group of our North Carolina Moms & Dads
would love to meet with you to discuss how you can help us make this happen in our
state. We will be contacting your office to make an appointment.
Sincerely heartbroken,
Fran Rich, Community Activist
Fayetteville, NC
694