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

Dear First Lady Fran DeWine,
My name is Adrienne Sautter. I am an Ohio mother who lost her 19-year-old son, Jayden
Miller, to a counterfeit Percocet pill on August 28, 2021. My son did not have a substance
use disorder, rather he was a teenager who was curious and made the mistake of
experimenting. Jayden was intelligent, caring, gentle, respectful and family oriented. He
graduated high school from the Computer Aided Design program at Penta Career Center
in Toledo, Ohio during Covid. He was immediately hired at Campbell’s Soup Supply
Company and began planning his future in engineering. At just 19 years old he had a life
insurance policy, started a 401k investment, saved his money, and took the necessary
steps towards a stable future. Jayden had just begun coming out of his shell and living
life. He was with 2 other friends when he experimented with the alleged Percocet pill,
neither one of his friends called 911 quick enough to save his life. He lay in a hospital bed
at the emergency department of McLaren’s Hospital for hours before his father and I were
notified of what happened. When we arrived at the hospital we were greeted with the
most devastating news from the doctor, our son would never neurologically wake up. His
brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long before paramedics were called to his
apartment. Jayden’s heart was resuscitated but machines were breathing for him. His
father and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to end life support.
Since his passing I have turned my pain into purpose by joining grassroots organizations
across the country to help spread awareness, educate communities and lobby for
systemic changes. I work closely with Facing Fentanyl, a national coalition project under
Voices For Awareness, along with DEMW (Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall), as well as
participate in Ohio’s monthly Drug Trend Calls and local DEA Summits. Last year I
submitted a proclamation to Governor DeWine declaring August 21st Fentanyl Prevention
and Awareness Day which he graciously signed. I know that you and Governor DeWine
are taking the drug crisis in Ohio very seriously and have implemented many changes to
help combat the ongoing issue. It is imperative that we continue to drive drug education
in schools across our state and in our communities. I know you are an advocate for social
and emotional learning as well as the mental health of children. I had the privilege of
presenting to Springfield Local Schools 6th - 12th grade and was disheartened at how
little they knew about the poisons lurking in street drugs and fake pharmaceutical pills.
The students were very receptive to the information and warnings given during the
presentation. My children have attended Springfield schools since kindergarten, and I
believe that putting a fellow student's story in their lap made the danger of experimenting
and recreational use more real to them.