Federal agents are currently seizing fentanyl at unprecedented levels. Amidst this situation, a mother who tragically lost two teenagers to this lethal drug is courageously stepping forward to raise awareness and prevent other families from experiencing “the worst pain imaginable.”
18-year-old Tyler Gordon and his younger sister Jenna, aged 16, tragically passed away in their bedrooms at their home in Riverside County. Both of their deaths were the result of fentanyl-related overdoses.
“It’s truly a silent assassin,” said Tammy Lyon-Gordon, the mother of the victims, during an interview with KTLA’s Kareen Wynter. “They were completely unaware that they were consuming fentanyl. The fact that they lost their lives in the very place they considered safe continues to haunt me on a daily basis.”
In 2020, Tyler purchased what he believed to be Percocet from Snapchat. Unfortunately, the substance he bought turned out to contain fentanyl, leading to his overdose.
Tragically, just under a year later, Jenna lost her life after unknowingly ingesting counterfeit Xanax. Investigators revealed to Lyon-Gordon that the pills were actually pure fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is a staggering 100 times more potent than morphine.
The grieving mother expressed her disbelief and sorrow, stating, “This should never have occurred. It still feels surreal to me.”
Fentanyl is a potent pharmaceutical drug that is commonly prescribed by physicians to alleviate severe pain. However, the illegal utilization of this drug has resulted in an alarming epidemic, as criminals have taken advantage of its low cost, ease of production, and high addictive potential.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), California experiences one of the highest rates of fatal overdoses involving fentanyl. The majority of these shipments are trafficked into the United States from Mexico.
The public is being cautioned by Anthony Chrysantis, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for the DEA, about the hidden presence of fentanyl.
Chrysantis warned about the dangers of the drugs being smuggled in by the Cartels, emphasizing the potential for fatal consequences if one comes into contact with the wrong substance.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that the confiscation of fentanyl, in both its powder and pill forms, has reached unprecedented levels. In the year 2023 alone, federal agents seized a staggering 29,000 pounds of fentanyl, marking a significant increase from the previous two years.
According to the Department of Public Health, fatal fentanyl overdoses and poisonings in Los Angeles County saw a staggering increase of 1652%, rising from 109 deaths in 2016 to 1910 deaths in 2022.
The rate of increase, however, significantly slowed down in 2023, with a smaller 3% rise, bringing the total number of deaths to 1970, which remained steady across the county.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has reported a significant decrease in fentanyl overdose and poisoning deaths. According to their data, these incidents have decreased by 30% in the reporting districts they serve, which includes unincorporated communities and approximately half of the cities in the L.A. County region.
“Over the past few years, our efforts have led to the successful recovery of more than 3 million fentanyl pills,” revealed Lt. Bobby Dean, the dedicated supervisor of the Sheriff’s Department’s Overdose Response Task Force. He further emphasized, “We have also managed to seize a staggering 150 kilos of powdered fentanyl, a quantity potent enough to bring fatal consequences to the entire state of California.”
The Task Force is responsible for examining cases of death resulting from fentanyl overdoses and poisonings. Additionally, they collaborate with the federal government to pursue prosecutions that entail more severe penalties.
According to Dean, the deterrent effect of the program is remarkable, with 27 cases currently in different stages of prosecution. He emphasized that all individuals involved in these cases could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years.
The statistics demonstrate that each drug seizure, arrest, and conviction has a life-saving impact.
Chrysantis issued a warning about the increasing prevalence of synthetic opioids on the streets, emphasizing the ongoing challenge in combating their distribution.
“We’re making every effort to remove these dangerous substances from circulation and enhance public safety. However, the supply of synthetic opioids seems limitless,” Chrysantis cautioned. “As long as there is profit to be gained, these drugs will continue to circulate in our communities.”
Tyler and Jenna Gordon’s mother has a powerful message to spare other families the heartbreak, especially for those who may not receive the necessary help in time.
“I am experiencing the most excruciating pain imaginable,” Lyon-Gordon expressed. “It is crucial to have open conversations with your children about the perils associated with this drug. We must not let them fall victim to its devastating effects.”
Source: Newsbreak
