Kim King-Macon has endured unimaginable pain. Her three-year-old grandson was tragically shot and killed six years ago, compelling her to become an advocate for Victory Over Violence. Now, she faces another devastating loss – her son’s death due to fentanyl poisoning.

The Silent Killer on the Streets

Someone on the street may give you anything and you don’t know what they are putting in it, emphasized King-Macon. This underscores the perilous uncertainty surrounding drugs obtained from unofficial sources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that overdose death rates involving fentanyl grew by 24 percent from 2020 to 2021.

Arkansas’ Ongoing Crisis

Arkansas is deeply affected by the opioid epidemic. According to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, there were 386 opioid-related overdoses in 2021. The statistics are grim as approximately 150 people die daily from opioid overdoses nationwide.

A Mission Fueled by Grief

King-Macon’s new mission is driven by the tremendous grief of losing her son. She hopes her advocacy will prevent similar tragedies. It’s not worth another mother feeling like I feel, she stated with emotion, reflecting her dedication to sparing other families from such heartbreaking experiences.

The Bigger Picture: Fentanyl’s Deadly Growth

The increase in drug overdoses is alarming. Drug overdoses have escalated over the past decades, establishing themselves as a predominant cause of injury death among adults. Overdoses involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl and stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine have also surged.

The Call for Awareness and Action

Raising awareness about these dangers is essential in combating this epidemic. Between 2021 and 2022, the rates for cocaine and psychostimulants with abuse potential also increased significantly. It’s imperative to understand that it isn’t just about numbers; it’s about real people whose lives are shattered by these substances.