News & Updates from the DIH Family September - October 2023
There are many things happening all around our country to fight back against
fentanyl poisoning and Drug Induced Homicide supports families affected by it
NEWS
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s second-in-command has quietly stepped down amid reporting by The Associated Press that he previously consulted for a pharmaceutical distributor sanctioned for a deluge of suspicious painkiller shipments and did similar work for the drugmaker that became the face of the opioid epidemic: Purdue Pharma.
After deliberating a day and a half, a Murrieta jury found Vicente David Romero, 34, guilty of the murder count in connection with the 2020 fentanyl death of Kelsey King.
Drug Induced Homicide Families Rally in Sacramento Filed a Ballot Proposal for Alexandra’s Law to Hold Fentanyl Drug Dealers Accountable
Matt Capelouto, who lost his daughter Alexandra in 2019, and Chris Didier, who lost his son Zach in 2020, hand-delivered the proposed initiative to crack down on fentanyl drug dealers to the California Attorney General's office in Sacramento.
DEA’s No.2 quits amid reports of previous consulting work for Big Pharma
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s second-in-command has quietly stepped down amid reporting by The Associated Press that he previously consulted for a pharmaceutical distributor sanctioned for a deluge of suspicious painkiller shipments and did similar work for the drugmaker that became the face of the opioid epidemic: Purdue Pharma.
Fentanyl Rally will be held in Washington, DC on September 23, 2023 to support families around America who lost their loved ones to fentanyl poisoning
On September 23, 2023, from 7am-3pm there will be a Fentanyl Rally in front of the Washington Monument at Northeast quadrant 2 on 15th street Washington DC. Bring your loved one’s picture. Lost Voices of Fentanyl will be holding their 3rd Annual Rally in Washington DC on this date.
”America is being inundated with deadly fentanyl and massive amounts of migrants. The cities around the country can't handle the volume and way too many citizens are dying from poisonous substances. Many people are going to the Fentanyl Rally in DC.” - Derek Maltz Sr.
On September 16, 2023, from 1pm-4pm there will be a Fentanyl Awareness Rally in Hemet, CA! It’s fun and informative for the whole family! This event will be held at Weston Park at 130 N. Thompson St. Hemet, CA 92543
September 25, 2023 is the NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MURDER VICTIMS
On this day please consider:
Lighting a candle in memory of a homicide victim.
Organizing or attending a community event to honor victims of homicide.
Calling or visiting a friend or family member who has lost a loved one to homicide.
Click on the picture above to join this year's 7th Annual Empty Chair Campaign!
During the last week of September, participants place an empty chair outside of their home, apartment or business for one week calling for justice of the precious life that was unlawfully dealt a controlled substance resulting in a homicide.
Personalize each chair to share your loved one’s beauty, strength and love for life.
DEA SUMMIT INFORMATION 2023
Drug Induced Homicide (DIH) embraces its partnership it has between DEA and other foundations. A Summit will take place at DEA HQ, which is in Arlington, VA and the 2nd day will take place in Crystal City, Arlington, VA.
During October, DEA field divisions across the country will host Regional Family Summits in their community in order to bring together families who have lost loved ones to drug poisonings or overdoses. These families are working to prevent others from experiencing the tragic loss of a loved one that they have experienced. These local summits will provide opportunities to share information, build connections, and foster collaboration between family groups, DEA, and other key sectors of their local community. Check the local DEA Office in your area to find out where a DEA Family Summit will be held near you.
FACTS
Washington State has seen the largest uptick in drug related deaths
Washington State has seen the largest uptick in drug related deaths in the US, rising 28.4% from March 2022 to March 2023. Source: King County Health Watch
In June of 2023, researchers at the University of Washington reported that in 2022, fentanyl was involved in 90% of opioid overdoses in Washington state and 65% of all drug related deaths. Source: Press Release from WA Senator Maria Cantwell who used statistics from the CDC
