Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Michelle Goshien’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
I am the Arkansas State Lead for Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my precious, vibrant
son, Jeremy, forever 25, due to a drug overdose in 2019. He wasn’t always a drug addict. After
a horrible skateboarding accident at the tender age of 15, Jeremy was prescribed loads of Oxy
and he was never the same after that. He truly fought a long, excruciating battle to get clean
for several years. I can’t tell you how many times with tears in his eyes we stood over the sink
dumping drugs while he begged me to save him from the life of a drug addict. I spent my
entire retirement fund plus many, many thousands of dollars to try to help him. There was
absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do to help my person, but nothing was ever good enough. I have
learned so much since Jeremy lost his life that I wish I had known back in 2019. I cannot put
into words the devastation I still feel every single day, even 1,615 days later. Jeremy was my
life and now I don’t have one at all.
I know you have three children and will have the luxury of grandchildren at some point. Just
imagine if one of your precious babies fell victim to Purdue Pharma’s horrible acts. The stigma
in Arkansas is overwhelming still even after all the lawsuits have been proven and settled.
Arkansas has seen many thousands of lives cut way too short as a direct result of the horrible
marketing tsunami Purdue put into place. Instead of judging these individuals for their
perceived moral failures, we should recognize them as victims of Purdue. Would you assist us
in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall within our Capitol? We
have created two memorial walls--one with photos and one with names. These digital walls
and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos displayed in hard copy
format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so parents can touch their loved one's
name. I am including Jeremy’s frame below. I am also including the brochure of virtual
memorial walls, albums, and our awareness campaign.
We would like our loved ones to be treated like the victims they were of Purdue Pharma (an
American cartel) and many others. The Chinese and Mexican Cartels have now taken over
where Purdue Pharma left off.
I would love to meet with you and work together to prevent this from happening ever again.
Sincerely,
Michelle Goshien, AR state lead
Conway, Arkansas

Brandi Helton’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders:
My name is Brandi Helton. I write to you today as my Governor and ask for your support, not
only as a champion for the people of Arkansas but also as a mother, in the fight to raise
awareness of drug addiction and the drug epidemic ravaging our state, taking so many lives. I
am the mother of a beautiful son that, like too many others in our state, lost his life to fentanyl
poisoning. My son, Tyler Helton, died on May 29,202 0, in North Little Rock, at the age of 26.
Tyler was my heart, and the momma-son bond we shared would rival the best of them. When
he was young, I often wondered if he would grow up to be in ministry, as he had such a kind,
pure heart. He was loving and compassionate; sweet with a little mischievous grin that could
charm anyone. He cared deeply about others and always took up the underdog. He was the
all-American little boy who grew into a respectful, kind, loving young man. He loved to ride
four-wheelers, fish and hunt. He loved animals and they loved him. He was incredibly
handsome, yet equally humble. He strived to be the best person he could be and never liked to
disappoint anyone. He was brought up in church and loved the Lord. He was witty and funny
and had the best belly laugh. He was not only naturally gifted athletically, regardless of the
sport, he was also intelligent. Just prior to graduating high school in 2011, Tyler took the ASYAP
"just to see how he would do." He scored third highest in the nation at that time and had his
choice of military branches and jobs within. He chose the Air National Guard and was in
Security Forces at LRAFP. He had many friends, many hobbies, and a bright future ahead of
him.
Tyler's battle with addiction began in full force in 2013. Genetically, he was predisposed to
addiction, as my father and my father's father were both alcoholics. My father lost his life to
alcoholism when Tyler was 12 years old. I had always been very open with Tyler and his sister
regarding their grandfather's alcoholism and the genetics of addiction; hoping that the
openness and firsthand knowledge would somehow mitigate one or both of my children from
going down that path. The disease of addiction is insidious.
Tyler was discharged from the ANG for drug use; though they did discharge him "under
honorable conditions." He was ashamed and embarrassed. He was never really the same. Tyler
and I had many discussions about his addiction. It was often hard to understand how he was
two people living in one body.
When Tyler died, my world shattered. I could not understand how God could save others and
not save Tyler. While there is comfort in my belief that Tyler is free from addiction, whole and
living in Heaven, there will always be questions and sadness and pain that only a mother who
has lost a child can understand. One wrong decision on the evening of May 29, 2020, cost him
everything. He lost his life. His father and I lost our son. His sister lost her little brother. And his
son, not yet born, lost his daddy. You see, only a few weeks prior to that evening, Tyler found

out he was going to be a first-time father. He was over the moon with excitement; looking
forward to everything the future held. He could not wait to be a daddy. And he would have
been a wonderful father. There is no doubt in my mind that had the perfect storm not been
occurring, Tyler would be here today being the best father to his little boy. Tyler had been
searching for rehabs in the days prior to his death; however, due to the Covid pandemic,
rehabs were not easily accessible. Tyler lived with me at the time, and I saw this struggle day
in and day out. This time was different. He had been doing well in recent months, and when he
found out he was going to be a father, he was full of strength and a desire to break free from
his addictions once and for all. Then came Covid. He became fearful and worried about his
new little family-to-be. He wanted to have months of recovery under his belt before his child
was born. He wanted to go to rehab, for the first time fully committed to living a life in
recovery so that he could be the father his child deserved. Unfortunately, the fear and worry
led him to buy a pain pill, from a "friend." Had my son known that using that one pill that night
would take him from his child, his future as a father, his family, his life, my son would never
have used that pill. And my beautiful grandson, Tyler Jr. ("TJ"), would know and feel the love of
his father. Tyler was a victim on May 29, 2020. Sadly, the perception still exists that the death
of an addict is somehow of less importance than that of a nonaddict; like it deserves less care
or concern. Tyler's beautiful little boy, TJ (Tyler Jr.), along with his mother, live with me and
have done so since TJ's birth. TJ will be three in October and is so very much like his daddy at
that age, not only in looks but also in spirit. I co-parent my son's son, and it is a beautifully
bittersweet blessing to look into his little eyes and see my son. They say women glow when
pregnant; Tyler glowed as a father-to-be. Two weeks prior to Tyler's death, he and his
girlfriend asked me to take photos of them at Riverfront Park for their official pregnancy
announcement. Which I happily did. They announced the pregnancy on May 16, and he was
gone on May 29. TJ's gender reveal was done at Tyler's memorial service. Over three years
later, it is still all unfathomable. I grieve the loss of my son every moment of every day. I grieve
everything TJ will miss out on not having his daddy here, and the life he will have never feeling
his father's immense love for him. Nothing will ever make any of the grief easier or better; it is
a part of me now and just something I am learning to co-exist with each day. Everything in my
life, Tyler's father's life, my daughter's life, and his child's life changed on May 29,2020. There
is no way to undo this. Today, as I finish composing this letter to you, would have been Tyler's
30th Birthday. He will forever be 26 years old.
There is, however, a way to honor him and all the others lost to the drug epidemic, as well as
bring awareness so desperately needed: erecting a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall. Nothing will
bring Tyler back to me, nor allow TJ to experience the unconditional love of a daddy, but I ask
on behalf of TJ, our family, and all of the moms and dads, and families having lost someone to
the drug epidemic, for you to prayerfully consider our requests for a Drug Epidemic Memorial
Wall to be erected on the Capitol grounds. I ask that you let Tyler's struggle with addiction and
death from an epidemic taking an entire generation from us, not be in vain. Let his face, along

death from an epidemic taking an entire generation from us, not be in vain. Let his face, along
with the many others within these letters, be used to raise awareness and remove the stigma
surrounding the loss of a loved one to the disease of addiction by putting their faces front and
center for all to see. Stigmas can be overcome when people are brave enough to shine light
upon the darkness in which they exist. A Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall is just one more step
toward that light.
Thank you. Governor Sanders, for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Brandi Helton,
Tyler Helton's Momma
Sherwood, AR

Debbie Brown’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
My name is Debbie Brown. I lost my son, Matthew Paul Zielstra, to substance use disorder on
Mother’s Day, May 14, 2017. He was 34 years old. We later learned he died from heroin laced with
fentanyl. As you might imagine, Mother’s Day has forever been ruined for me and will never be the
same even though I still have two children who do their best to help me through it each year. I can’t
tell you the loss I still feel every day.
Matthew was such a fun-loving, caring child who loved the outdoors. One memory etched into my
brain is the day when my 8-year-old Matthew brought home wild daffodils he had dug up to give to
his momma. We planted those daffodils around the tree in our turnaround area. Today, those few
daffodils have spread and now encircle the whole tree! Matthew loved baseball as a child and teen.
He lived for the sport and was such an awesome shortstop and third baseman. Nothing got by him.
We lived at the baseball fields in the summertime just loving to watch him enjoy his sport.
Matthew never met a stranger and seemed to know everyone. I have met several young people since
his death who have stopped to ask me if I was Matthew Zielstra’s mom. He was such a charismatic
young man with the most beautiful, infectious smile and piercing blue eyes that used to dance when
he was teasing me. And his hugs…oh how I miss those huge bear hugs that took my breath away. He
loved his momma. Even in the throes of addiction, he was always looking after me, telling me to take
care of myself. He couldn’t take care of himself, but he kept trying to care for me.
During one of his rehab stints, his counselor told me that Matthew was a natural leader. Everyone
looked to Matthew as the head of the group and had nominated him as their President. He told me if
Matthew were able to ever recover from his addiction, he would make a terrific drug counselor
because of his leadership skills. I looked at him with tears in my eyes and told him he wasn’t telling
me anything I didn’t already know. The problem was Matthew didn’t see it. He always felt he was in
his older brother’s shadow. Ironically, I learned after Matthew had passed, his brother, Scott, always
felt he was in Matthew’s shadow!
Matthew will never be a father. He will never get to watch his nephews and nieces grow up. He will
never meet his sister’s little boys. Tristan was born the same year Matthew passed and was almost
born on Matthew’s birthday! Matthew is gone and is never coming back. We lost a beautiful, vibrant
son, brother, grandson, uncle, and friend. Our family will never be whole again because of fentanyl.
We would love to see a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall erected in all 50 State Capitol complexes to
honor our loved ones as victims of the drug crisis in our Nation. Matthew, and every person who has
lost their life to this drug, is a victim of the Chinese and Mexican cartels. Will you help the healing by
putting up a Memorial Wall in their honor?
Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, with hopeful regards,
Debbie Brown
Conway, Arkansas

Debbie Veach’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. My son, Michael Veach, was murdered by
fentanyl in February 2022, forever 41 years old. A Catholic High School and the University of AR
graduate. In 2004, Michael was in a car wreck and was seriously injured, he was 25 years old. For 20
years, Michael and our family fought his addiction caused by this era of the Pharma Purdue Cartel
much like suffering from the disease of terminal cancer. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to
no avail. Opiates were prescribed to my son in an ‘all you can eat‘ fashion! We were treated as the
crazy ones! This criminal act happened right before our eyes! Over 400 people attended Michael’s
funeral.
Our 2 precious grandchildren, ages 13 and 1, lost their daddy. Our family remains devastated!
I know you have three children; can you imagine one of your precious children so cruelly taken from
you. The pain is unimaginable! The stigma in Arkansas is overwhelming still even after all the lawsuits
have been proven and settled. Arkansas has seen many thousands of lives cut way too short as a
direct result of the horrible marketing tsunami by Purdue. Instead of judging these individuals for
their perceived moral failures, we should recognize them as victims of Purdue. Would you assist us in
finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall within our capitol? We have created
two memorial walls--one with photos and one with names. These digital walls and albums update
automatically. We would also like the photos displayed in hard copy format. The wall of names can be
projected on a wall so parents can touch their loved one’s name. I am including a picture of our son
and his children below.
We would like our loved ones to be treated like the victims they were of Purdue Pharma (an American
cartel) and many, many others. Now, they are victims of Chinese and Mexican Cartels. Again,
happening right before our eyes. The murder of thousands and thousands and thousands.
I would love to meet with you and work together to prevent this from happening ever again. I once
worked with your great father in strengthening healthcare in AR as a health policy associate. No
battle too great!
Sincerely,
Debbie Veach
Maumelle, AR

Heather Lynn Leonard’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
My name is Heather Leonard. I lost my son, Preston Klein Leonard, to substance use disorder
on June 28th, 2023. He is forever 27 years old.
"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control: against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
This verse in the Book of Galatians describes my precious Preston almost to a "T". He gave
when he himself didn't have. He loved, although he couldn't see why we loved him the way he
loved us. Preston lost his father in 5th grade suddenly to an undetected heart condition, right
before a planned hunting trip to Russellville. He was devastated, we both were. I believe this is
where Preston started to bottle things up inside of himself. Although we, as mothers, do our
very best to protect our babies from pain and heartache, we couldn't know what all was going
on if he wouldn't tell me or the counselors. He absolutely appeared to be going through the
grief process fine, and as a single mother, the assurance from the professionals was a
welcomed relief. Then, in the 8th grade Preston dropped down to 82 lbs, in what seemed like
overnight. I was panicking, thinking he had some form of cancer. After much research and me
stalking my son and absolutely getting no sleep just to sit up at night to listen at his bedroom
door, I finally figured out what was going on. No, it wasn't drugs, yet! My 14-year-old SON had
ANOREXIA NERVOSA, which is very rare for a 14-year-old boy to have. And, he had it bad.
Preston had a “textbook” case of anorexia. The details of anorexia alone are just as horrific as
watching an addict, but this is where I believe Preston’s self-destructive path started.
I got him well until he turned 17 and it was game on again with the devil himself....
methamphetamine. The nights I have spent looking in ditches, trap houses, busting through
doors to see where my son was would make your jaw drop. I was a white, small town little girl,
busting in these dangerous meth houses that most of the time had no electricity or running
water, and almost all the time, I went alone. I would carry nothing with me but a flashlight, my
cell phone, and sheer determination to save my son’s life. That's it, that's all I would have with
me. He would get clean for a while, and my hope would grow high. Then, bam! He would end
up in jail or the hospital, or I would not be able to find him again. Then the cycle would begin
all over again. Preston truly wanted to do better, especially after my grandson was born, his
son. He did very well for about a year and a half. Then, here his old demons came creeping up
at him again.
Governor Sanders, I have some horror stories about what addiction has done to my family that
you just wouldn't believe except they honestly are true stories. I followed all the guidelines
available at the time and did what the experts said to do with someone suffering from
substance use disorder. Preston worked the program and was on the right path to getting his
life in order at 27 years old. But then, one slip, one mistake killed him because some murderer

put fentanyl in the meth they sold to him. This murderer, who roams Arkansas as a free man I
should add, took from me that which is most precious to any mother—my son. Preston’s own
son, our entire family, and the world was robbed of what God naturally had given us—love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. Preston was one of the
good ones. He didn't deserve what happened to him. He loved others more than he loved
himself, and lived by God’s laws, better than he did man’s admittedly, but he never hurt
anyone, except himself. Now I and the rest of his family are broken and shattered just when he
was getting it right.
That’s why I would love to see a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall in all 50 state capitol
complexes, but especially in Arkansas, to honor our loved ones as victims of the drug crisis in
our nation. Preston, and every other person who has lost their life to fentanyl and the opioid
epidemic, are victims of Purdue Pharma along with the Chinese and Mexican Cartels. Will you
please help the healing by putting up a Memorial Wall in their honor? Thank you for your
consideration.
Heather Lynn Leonard
Hope, Arkansas

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Jennifer English’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
I am a grieving mother that lost my beautiful, loving son James Cage, to fentanyl poisoning on
April 3, 2023. For many years, my son was a happy, loving, vibrant young man. He was an
honor roll student that excelled in track and field and cross country. Then one night he went
out with some friends and smoked marijuana for the first time. Not long after that he got his
first concussion and decided he needed something stronger than Tylenol for the pain and
turned to oxy.
He also struggled with depression and anxiety and went to the hospital for a thirty-day
inpatient program. He came home, better, and clean for a little while but the meds that his
doctors put him on led him right back to his addiction. I’ve done everything in my power to try
to make my son get the help he so desperately needed. The last six months of his life were
especially hard on him. His fiancé broke up with him and wouldn’t let him see his two
beautiful girls unless I was with them. I watched as my son went deeper into that dark place.
He was always a very loving father to his girls, even when he was using the last month of his
life. He was getting clean so he could have a better relationship with them. His last full day on
earth, March 26, 2023, he spent all morning with me, his girls and his ex. He was happier than
I had seen him in a very long time. When he left, he was supposed to come to my house about
an hour later but never showed up. I got a call from the person he was with at 1:15 AM on
March 27 that EMTs were there working on him and about to transport him to the hospital,
my beautiful son died and was brought back six times within the first 6 1/2 hours after I got
the call. After seven days and ICU on life-support they pronounced my son brain dead. I had to
do what a mother should never have to do; make the decision to take my son off of life
support. My son, my baby, my life was gone! He meant so much to so many people. For me
my life revolved around my son. He was my sunshine in the morning, my moon, and stars at
night. Now my life revolves around my heartbreak and telling his truth to anyone that will
listen.
It is time we started holding someone responsible for an overdose death, or a death from
fentanyl!
Please consider allowing the Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall to be placed in our capitol
building.
Sincerely,
Jennifer English- Cage’s mom
Romance, Arkansas

Jenny Neville’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
May 29th, 2015, my life was turned upside down. I came home from work and my husband Mike told
me my son was gone. Clay was 26 years old and was a beautiful soul. He had back problems for years
and was prescribed opioids for pain and got addicted. He met some people that introduced him to
stronger Illegal drugs he could take for the pain. We tried to get him help but he wouldn't admit he
had a problem. “It was just for the pain,” he said and had all the excuses. It was heartbreaking.
In 2015 my daughter was pregnant with her first child and Clay was excited to be an uncle for the first
time. She told him he couldn't be around the baby if he was still using drugs. He promised to get off
the drugs because he wanted to be a part of her life. I believe he tried, and we think he relapsed. He
told his roommate he had a headache and left to get something for it, when he returned, he went to
the bathroom and never came out. He went to the dealer he used before and was sold a lethal dose
of fentanyl, that dealer was hoping to bring Clay back for more. Mike did not work for the coroner's
office at the time, so I did not get to see my son for 9 days. I spent the next 9 days praying that it was
a mistake. Unfortunately, it was not a mistake.
and is probably still selling lethal drugs. My husband now works for the Washington County Coroner's
office as Chief Deputy Coroner and I wonder every time he works an overdose if it was the same
dealer that killed my son. I get a knot in my stomach when Mike has a
Now I visit a headstone with my son's name on it. I am supposed to accept it while the person that
sold it run of overdose calls. I know that there is a dealer that has gotten a new batch of product that
is killing people because it is mixed with too much fentanyl. They prey on addicts and brag about the
batch being better. I wish people knew not to trust what they’re buying or using, but how? I have
also had to deal with people's perception of people that overdose. They feel they are addicts that did
it to themself and deserve what happens. I wish I could change the culture around how the public
perceives these deaths. If someone dies because of alcohol it is called alcohol poisoning not alcohol
overdose.
Prosecuting overdose deaths as homicides will not bring my son back but it might save someone
else's child. Thank you, for legislation that gives law enforcement another tool in their arsenal which,
if used appropriately, can assist locally in focusing on the drug dealers who take advantage of those
who have become addicted to opioids. Mike said some of the drug task force agents he works with
say that they are working with prosecutors to get these dealers but it's so hard. Hopefully the new
legislation helps. I participate in many awareness events just to make everyone aware this can
happen to anyone from any background. I do these things I think because I feel I didn't do enough for
Clay to save him; I want to save someone else's child. He lives on in my heart. In his memory I will do
anything to save lives. A memorial in our Capitol would do so much for awareness and open
conversations with parents and children. Possibly save someone from losing a loved one or losing
their own life.
Thank you so much for your time,
Jenny Neville
Springdale, Arkansas

Karen Dougan’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
My name is Karen Dougan. I lost my only son, Mark Arnold, on May 31, 2021, to fentanyl
poisoning. Let me tell you a little about Mark.
He was a kind, loving & caring person. Due to truck & 4-wheeler accidents, he was introduced
to hydrocodone & other opioid medications by his physician. A trusted medical provider
caused his addiction, not some random person on the street. He fought through many
excruciating years to stay clean from substances.
I prayed for many years for God to heal Mark from his addiction. God did heal him but not in
any way I wanted to hear. On May 31, 2021, my life changed forever. Mark was healed from his
addiction by passing from this world due to fentanyl poisoning. Since his death, there have
been many more deaths due to fentanyl poisoning in Hempstead County.
I asked God what to do on May 31, 2021, and I gave it all to Him that horrible day. It has been
over two years now and the death toll is steadily rising. We need new laws to hold these drug
dealers accountable for fentanyl poisoning. Yes, Mark was addicted to opioids, but he had no
idea he was ingesting fentanyl. I am asking you to please help us to pass a law to help our
family to get fentanyl out of Arkansas. I look at the deaths caused by fentanyl in each of the 50
states and see them continually rise. It absolutely breaks my heart. Fentanyl poisoning has
killed so many innocent children & adults.
We would also like a memorial placed in the Capitol in Little Rock to represent the victims of
the opioid epidemic which Purdue Pharma put into motion over thirty years ago. Please help
us with this.
Thank you.
Karen Dougan (Mark Arnold -forever 30 )
from a little place called Hope, Arkansas (Hempstead County)

Melissa Haro’s Daughter

Governor Sanders,
To help bring awareness to the #1 leading cause of death of our youth in this country, I hope
that you will join those of us who have lost our children to the terrible epidemic of opioid
overdose. I was asked to write an impact statement that would help bring to light the issue of
fentanyl overdose and death. I do not feel my words are worthy to carry the weight of the
gravity of the situation. I am sharing with you the words that my own daughter Brianna
Gabriella Haro wrote prior to her passing from a fentanyl overdose/poisoning.
I hope her words will resonate with you, a leader of the state of Arkansas. I hope her words
will encourage you to support us in our efforts to bring awareness and change to the people of
the state of Arkansas.
Brianna originally posted her writing below on FB while in rehab on 6/23/2020, 873 days later
on 11/13/22 she lost her life due to fentanyl poisoning/overdose. I am so proud of my
daughter Brianna Gabriella Haro❤ . Her experiences with addiction were not in vain
because even in death she is making a difference in this fallen world.
The following was written by beautiful Brianna Gabriella Haro.
Addiction- the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.
Is addiction a choice or disease? I’ve been asked this several times, and at first i believed it
was a choice that turned into a disease. After 37 days of thinking about this question and my
answer to it, my mind changed. I believe it is a disease that turns into a choice. Hi, my name is
Brianna and I’m an addict. My journey through addiction began a little over a year ago, little
did I know the war I would be fighting. I am addicted to Fentanyl and no, I am not ashamed.
The disease stole what I knew to be my world away from me. It isolated me, made me sad and
angry. Fentanyl didn’t allow me to crack a smile or laugh a real laugh unless I got high. If i
didn’t have it my body hurt, i couldn’t sleep, my muscles ached, and God forbid I try to eat
anything. It tricks your mind and body into believing it’s the one thing that’ll keep you alive
when it’s truly the reason you will die. Drug addiction tortured and mutilated me. It took my
mind, my body, my soul but worst of all- my heart. I knew my life was unmanageable the day
my heart stopped, and I didn’t care. It started with a feeling, then it became an idea. What do
I believe about ideas? Well, my belief is “An idea is like a virus, resilient, highly contagious.
Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it's almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is
fully formed - fully understood - that sticks; right in there somewhere”. That’s when it became
a disease. The moment I no longer wanted to feel, the second I came up with the idea to find
whatever would quiet me, that’s when it became a disease, not the day I picked up the drug.

The day my heart stopped, and I was brought back to life with chest compressions and mouthto-mouth
was the day I got my choice. I was given the choice to live or die, but I didn’t just
choose to live, I chose to start living alive. So, is addiction a disease or a choice? The answer:
Yes.
My name is Brianna, and I am 37 days sober. For the last 37 days I chose to fight and everyday
forward I am choosing to fight as if it’s my first day fighting. My name is Brianna and today I
laughed a real laugh, I live in Florida, my backyard is the beach (literally), I talk about my
thoughts and feelings, and today I am living alive. My name is Brianna, and I am an addict in
recovery. Drug addiction/Alcoholism does not have a face, a body type, a bank account,
values, morals, clothing, education, a personality type, or whatever else you may believe
“doesn’t fit the description of an addict”. If you are in recovery and need to find meetings near
you online because of COVID-19 or in person meetings, let me know. If you are struggling with
addiction, I am here for you and I have written this for you to know that you are not alone.
If you have made it this far, please, take a moment of silence for the addict picking up that
drug or drink for the first time today and for the addict that won’t make it to tomorrow.
Melissa Haro
Little Rock, Arkansas

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Michelle Atchison’s Son

Dear Governor Sanders,
My name is Michelle Atchison. I lost my son, Austin Samples, at 24 years old on
June 11, 2018.
Austin has an identical twin, Blake. It has been a very hard road for our family to lose Austin.
Austin was the clown in our family, the glue that held us together. Austin, at the young age of
17, came to me one day and wanted my signature so that he could serve his state. Austin
wanted to enlist in the Army Reserves.
Once in, his MOS was Infantry division. He absolutely loved the military. His 5th year in he
contracted spinal meningitis. Austin was in Arkansas Children’s Hospital for several weeks. He
came home prescribed valium and pain medications. Once his treatment was completed, he
was hooked.
Austin started to do drugs at this point. The Army sent him to a rehab facility. We really
thought he was clean and doing well. Then his wife was visited by the Sheriff’s Office. Austin
had been poisoned and died. He thought he was getting cocaine and got 100% fentanyl.
In Arkansas, we have lost so many souls to addiction. We need to make a stand and do
something about this. Please consider supporting us by allowing Drug Epidemic Memorial
Wall’s request of placing a memorial in our state capitol.
Thank you,
Michelle Atchison
Hot Springs, Arkansas

Arkansas Photo Scrolling Wall:
ar.drugepidemicmemorial.org
National Teen Scrolling Wall Of Photos:
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/photos/teens
National Scrolling Wall Of Photos:
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/photos
National Scrolling Wall Of Names:
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/

Awareness
Campaigns
School And Community Prevention Tools
I AM A FORCE FOR CHANGE - SCHOOL/COMMUNITY
PREVENTION TOOLS
Manual For Advocates
I AM A FORCE CHNAGE- PREVENTION MANUAL FOR ADVOCATES
Please feel free to share for awareness, prevention and memorials.
To be included on the Memorial Walls go to:
wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org

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