Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

Sandra Cook Estell’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
My name is Sandra Cook Estell. This is my oldest son Curtis James Cook. On
January, 25, 2023 I lost him to fentanyl poisoning. Like so many he didn’t know that
he was playing Russian roulette with his life. He was a sweet and loving person and
would do anything for anyone. Very smart and funny, loved his family and friends and
we all loved him right back. He never married and was my first-born son, born the day
after my birthday. There are no words to express my heartbreak over losing him. No
parent should have to go through this.
I am writing you this letter in the hopes that you will help me, and many other parents
spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl. We have some great ladies that have
put together pictures of each child that has been lost into a memorial frame, and
those pictures are being made into a memorial wall for our state. We are asking that
we can get your permission to have the memorial wall placed in the State Capitol
building to bring awareness to the public.
Also, if there are other ways, we can raise awareness we are here to help get it out
there. Billboards, infomercials, and in schools (especially in schools). Also having
available to the public fentanyl testing strips and Narcan. If this is available to the
public, it could save lives. It could’ve saved my son and hundreds of others. People
need to understand the magnitude of deaths due to fentanyl that occurs each hour of
each day. We are losing an entire generation to this poison.
Please, help us help our kids and our country!
Sincerely,
Sandra Cook Estell
Curtis J. Cook’s mom forever 38
AL State Lead Drug Epidemic Memorial
Pell City, AL

Amy Todd’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
I am writing to you today to introduce you to my son, Nicholas Zirlott, who will forever be 21 years of
age even though he was born in 2001. He was lost to us because of a dose of fentanyl. He lost his
battle with mental health illness and addiction on Sept 23, 2022.
Nicholas was not always troubled by these problems. He was actually a very happy kid until his
teenage years. He was small for his age, but his personality was so large that it made up for what
he lacked in stature.
At a young age he already showed signs of being a service to his community. My son spent the
majority of his weekends at the local Volunteer Fire Department where he was an inspiration to his
adult leaders. He advanced and was given his own Fire Fighter uniform. In Middle School came the
induction into the Jr Honor Society with learning coming easy to him without really studying.
Nicholas always had a good firm handshake, gave the best hugs, and was the first to take up for the
“under dog” or for those that were being bullied. In Jr High Nic became part of the School Band
making it to first chair with solo parts in concert. Later he joined ROTC and was a highly awarded
Cadet for a time.
Mental health Issues reared its ugly head at around 16 years of age and led to many trips to a
variety of rehab facilities and eventually to a couple incarcerations in Mobile Co Jail for minor
offenses. At 21 years of age our family lost this sweet, loving young man to his battle with mental
health issues and addiction that led to an overdose of fentanyl.
As Governor of Alabama, I know that you are an advocate for making mental health help more
available. Your constituents and their children need to be educated about the dangers that fentanyl
presents. We are losing a whole generation of people and no one but the grieving families, seem to
even know that it is happening.
As I am sure you are aware, there is a physical memorial wall full of thousands of beautiful faces
that have been lost to the fentanyl in the DEA building in Washington DC. Sadly, they have run out
of room to display and honor the many that are dying daily.
We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and one with names. I am including Nicholas’
frame, below. I am also including the brochure of virtual memorial walls, albums, and our awareness
campaign. 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 families can touch
their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated like victims.
As an Ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall I ask that you assist us in finding a
permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall within our Capitol.
Sincerely,
Amy Todd, Nicholas Zirlott’s mom
Dauphin Island, AL

Andrea Moseley’s Daughter

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my sweet, beautiful
daughter, Shelbey Moseley, on March 29, 2023. She is forever 25. She is a victim of
fentanyl poisoning. We are heartbroken. We miss her so very much and we love her
beyond measure. Shelbey was selfless, kind, smart, and funny. She is a daughter,
mother, sister, granddaughter, aunt and friend. Her death has devastated me. No one
should ever have to endure the death of a child. She made the world so much better.
There is a permanent hole in my heart that can never be filled.
Would you assist us in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial
Wall within our capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and
one with names. I am including Shelbey's photo below.
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
families can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated
like victims. They were all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many
others. Now, they are victims of Chinese and the Mexican Cartels. Many are also
victims of fatal diseases like cancer. We are using the word “drugism” for the
prejudice toward drug users - like racism.
A group of our Alabama moms would love to meet with you and work together to
prevent this from happening ever again. We need to start protecting our children from
this horrible disease. We do this to honor our children and all the other victims. I want
Shelbey's story to be heard because her life matters. She matters.
Sincerely,
Andrea Moseley
Huntsville, Alabama

Deborah Tolbert’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my youngest son,
Jonathan, who is now forever 27. He was poisoned by fentanyl, and I remain
devastated! I loved my son more than words can express and it haunts me every day.
Jonathan was humble, funny and had empathy for anyone that was less fortunate
than him. Jonathan was loved by so many and missed every day. When you must
bury your child, you bury a piece of your heart with them. There isn’t a day that goes
by that Jonathan doesn’t enter my mind. When I wake, throughout the day and when I
lay down at night.
Would you please assist us in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic
Memorial Wall within our capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with
photos and one with names. I am including Jonathan’s frame below. Please help us to
bring awareness to what is happening in our country.
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 that
families can touch their loved one’s name. We would like our loved ones to be treated
as victims as that is what they are. They are victims of Chinese and the Mexican
Cartels. Thousands of our young generation are dying daily from this murderous
epidemic.
A group of our Alabama moms and dads would love to meet with you and work
together to prevent this from happening. We need to start protecting our children from
this mass murder. We need to make sure that Jonathan’s death had a purpose and
not just a useless ending with no meaning. My son’s life mattered.
Sincerely,
Deborah Tolbert
Odenville, Alabama

Donna Lee’s Daughter

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
My name is Donna Lee. I am an ambassador for the drug epidemic memorial wall.
I lost my beautiful daughter, Allison to fentanyl poisoning. She is forever 20. She was
so kind and intelligent. She loved to make people smile. She did not deserve to lose
her life at only 20 years old. She never got the chance to grow up and get married or
have kids. She loved kids and would have made a terrific mother. Anyone that knew
her was devastated by her loss. My pain will never stop.
Will you please help us find a permanent location for a memorial wall within our
capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and one with names.
We would like our loved ones to be treated like victims.
We need to make young people aware of the dangers of fentanyl, as well as other
drugs and how lethal they are. I need to make sure that Allison’s life has a purpose.
Sincerely,
Donna Lee, Allsion’s mom
Verbena, AL

Jennifer M. Thrift’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my beautiful son,
PVT Tyler Duncan who is forever 20. He was poisoned by fentanyl, and I remain
devastated. I loved him beyond imagination. Tyler was the kindest, tender, loving,
gentle, sincere, and most compassionate person I have ever known. He always saw
the good in others and always thought everyone deserved a second chance. His
heart was bigger than the entire world.
My son PVT Tyler Duncan was active military at the time of his passing. He was
stationed in Washington State at Fort Lewis-McCord Joint Base. At the time of my
son’s death (PVT Tyler Duncan) he was the second soldier at that base within the
same week that died. PVT Tyler Duncan was born and raised in Alabama (Notasulga,
AL). PVT Tyler Duncan was/is someone’s son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend.
He was my son and my world. My world changed forever when I lost my heart on
April 25, 2021.
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. I am including PVT Tyler Duncan’s frame, below. I am also including
the brochure of virtual memorial walls, albums, and our awareness campaign.
These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos
displayed in hardcopy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so
families can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated
like victims. They were all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many,
many others. Now, they are victims of Chinese and the Mexican Cartels. We are
using the word “drugism” for the prejudice toward drug users - like racism.
A group of our Alabama moms would love to meet with you and work together to
prevent this from happening ever again.
Sincerely,
Jennifer M Thrift, Notasulga, AL
PVT Tyler Duncan’s Mom Forever 20
Gone But Never Forgotten

Jeri Money’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
My name is Jeri Money. I currently live in Dothan, AL and have done so almost all my life. No matter
where my life has taken me, or how far from here I have gone, I always seem to come back. I’ve
always said that Lynard Skynyrd had it right! Alabama, my home sweet home! Well, it used to be. But
that was before my son was killed by fentanyl. Now I don’t believe I will ever feel “home” again.
I would like to share the devastating loss of my beloved son, Nate. My hope is that through our
collective efforts, we can raise awareness of fentanyl poisoning so maybe other parents will not have to
feel this painful void that is weighing so many parents down now.
A little over fifteen months ago, I felt the warmth of my son’s hand for the very last time on October 29,
2022, eight days after I received the call that no parent should ever have to hear: my son Nate had been
found unresponsive. He was in the office at his job, which was the apartment complex I lived in. He was
the HVAC technician. Nathan worked hard to make something for himself. He had even just invested
money in pressure washing equipment because he wanted to own his own business and make a name
for himself.
Nate was a beautiful soul, filled with dreams, aspirations, and an unyielding love for life. Nate was a
loving brother to his younger twin brothers, and he cherished every moment with them. He was a caring
husband, having celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary just a few months before his untimely
passing. Oh, and I can’t forget he was the daddy to Nova and Jax, his fur babies, who sat for weeks in
the window staring at his SUV, wondering why he hadn’t come inside yet. I know now that dogs surely
do grieve.
Nate had a bright future ahead of him until his life was abruptly ended because he was given a
counterfeit pill. He only took 1/2 of what he thought was a Xanax. The other half was in his pocket. My
son received no justice even though the police copied his phone and read the texts messages of the
transaction that took my son away from me. They saw his location history and went to pick it up on his
lunch break. But I’m told that there is nothing they can do. So, I had to watch dirt be thrown on top of
my baby while the mother of the one that gave my son the deadly pill gets to watch her sons Facebook
reels and TikTok’s. How is this fair?
Nate was taken from us too soon, leaving a void that can never be filled. Nate's story is not unique.
Countless families across our state are facing the same heartache, grappling with the loss of loved ones
to fentanyl poisoning.
We are hopeful that you will assist us in getting a memorial wall placed in our capital. A wall of our
children’s faces to honor their lives and their untimely deaths to the drug epidemic.
Sincerely,
Jeri Money
Dothan, AL

Phyllis & John Wheeler’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivy,
I am the mother of Cody Poole. I would like to tell you a little about Cody’s background. My husband
and I adopted Cody as an infant. He is our biological grandson, born to our middle daughter at the
age of 16. Cody’s father was killed in an automobile accident before Cody’s birth. My husband and I
raised Cody as parents and grandparents. At the time of Cody’s birth our youngest daughter was
eight years old. They were best friends growing up and had a brother and sister bond. At the age of
24 my daughter was killed in an automobile accident. Cody was 16 years old, confused
and emotionally broken. He turned to marijuana and Xanax to cope with his pain. My husband and I
were unaware, we too were broken and trying to cope. Cody ‘s drug use spiraled out of control, by
the time he was 24 years old. He was a drug addict. Cody went to at least five rehabs: tried cold
turkey, natural remedies and yes, prayers with each failed attempt Cody was ashamed, apologetic,
broken and felt worthless, and with each failed attempt the drug dealers were there preying and
waiting for Cody ‘s weakest moment. Cody was sentenced to 48 days in jail for a probation violation
in December of 2022. He was released on 2/2/23, the last time we saw Cody was 2/5/23. He was
dropped off at a drug dealer’s house by a friend that day. Cody lived one week after his release. As I
stated earlier the drug dealers were there waiting eagerly, but this time the drug dealer supplied
Cody with a deadly dose of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Cody lived in a tiny house on our
property, that’s where my husband found him 2/8/23 no drugs no drug paraphernalia so basically,
they gave him the deadly dose and dropped him off at home to die.
Cody was the most loving kindhearted person I’ve ever known, but he was also an addict and of
course he acted out of character under the influence, but never once was he disrespectful to my
husband or myself. It took Cody’s death and research to understand addiction is a disease and until
we all realize that and get the justice, we and they deserve by holding the drug dealers accountable
for their actions, “Drug Induced Homicide”, it’s not going to stop.
My child is a victim. He didn’t plan or intend on becoming an addict. He was drawn in and became a
victim of the drug dealers. I pray that our state of Alabama will honor my child and all victims of
addiction with a Drug Epidemic memorial wall. A fallen warrior is still a warrior and weakness doesn’t
equal wickedness. My prayer is the memorial wall will also serve as a tool for awareness concerning
drugs, and specifically fentanyl “America’s deadly epidemic”.
Thank you for taking time to read some of Cody’s story. Our hearts are forever broken, our life will
never be normal again. We’re prayerfully awaiting a decision.
Respectfully,
Phyllis and John Wheeler, parents of Cody Poole Forever loved, forever missed, forever 31
Mobile, Alabama

Susan Martin’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my beautiful son,
Heath, who is forever 41. He was poisoned by fentanyl, and we remain devastated.
We loved him beyond imagination, and we still cry every day.
Heath was the kindest and most empathetic person I have ever known. He was loved
by so many and he is missed by all. He touched so many lives but most of all he
touched mine. When you must bury your child, you bury a piece of yourself. He is the
first thing on my mind when I wake up and the last thing on my mind when I go to bed.
I pray every night that I see him in my dreams.
Would you assist us in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial
Wall within our capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and
one with names. I am including Heath’s frame, below.
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
families can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated
like victims. They were all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many
others. Now, they are victims of the Chinese and the Mexican Cartels. Many are also
victims of fatal diseases like cancer. We are using the word “drugism” for the
prejudice toward
drug users.
A group of our Alabama families would love to meet with you and work together to
prevent this from happening ever again. We need to start protecting our children from
this horrible disease. We need to make sure Heath’s death had a purpose or a
reason, not just a useless ending with no meaning.
Sincerely,
Susan Martin
Heath's Mom F-41
Birmingham, Alabama

Wendy Martin’s Son

Dear Governor Kay Ivey,
My name is Wendy, I am Jake's mom. Jake is my first-born son who passed away fifteen days after
his 29th birthday. He was poisoned by fentanyl. He was an amazing soul, a handsome man, a
wonderful big brother, and uncle and is missed every day. I cry each day because I miss him so
much.
We called him "Jake". When he was a baby, he was called " Jake the snake" like the wrestler. Jake
loved wrestling, music, singing, writing music, and he loved to learn. He was kicked out of school in
the 7th grade for something he didn't do. His father and I were separating at the time and his dad
promised to put him in home school but never did. Jake was very smart, he watched the History
channel, and the Discovery channel and he would read a lot.
The night my son passed away was on April 30, 2021, he had just turned 29 on April 15. Jake was
living with his fiancé in January, so he was doing great up until that night. His fiancé told me they
went to Dollar General and Jake walked over to someone in the parking lot. When they got home,
he went to the bathroom to take a bath. She looked and saw what he was doing, and she knew he
had overdosed before, but she walked away from him. He was sitting on the toilet, no clothes on. He
barely had injected the needle in his arm, and he then hit the floor and his head fell over the tub and
when she found him an hour later, she tried CPR and called her friend then called 911. Her friend
called me and basically asked, “Have you heard what happened to Jake?” When I said, “No what's
going on?” she said, “Oh he overdosed. He is dead”. I dropped the phone, and I was screaming. My
other son came out and asked what's wrong and I told him.
This April will be 3 years since he has been gone. I lost my mom in October, 2020 and six months
later I lost my first-born son. I must admit I prayed to God that if it was His will to take him home
because Jake was his son first before he was mine. I love my son and I will see him again.
I'm asking you to help us find a permanent place for our Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall in my capital.
We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and one with names. I have included my son
Jake's frame below. Jake was a victim of drug cartels and pharma companies, but he was also a
victim of a fatal dose of fentanyl.
I'm going to use the word "drugism" as prejudice towards drug users- like racism. We have to start
protecting our children from this horrible disease. We need to make sure Jake's death and every
other child's death had a purpose or a reason not just have them die in vain.
Sincerely,
Wendy Martin (Jake's mom)
Carbon Hill, Alabama

South Carolina Photo Scrolling Wall:
al.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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