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Sandra Cook Estell’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
My name is Sandra Cook Estell. This is my oldest son Curtis James Cook. On<br />
January, 25, 2023 I lost him to fentanyl poisoning. Like so many he didn’t know that<br />
he was playing Russian roulette with his life. He was a sweet and loving person and<br />
would do anything for anyone. Very smart and funny, loved his family and friends and<br />
we all loved him right back. He never married and was my first-born son, born the day<br />
after my birthday. There are no words to express my heartbreak over losing him. No<br />
parent should have to go through this.<br />
I am writing you this letter in the hopes that you will help me, and many other parents<br />
spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl. We have some great ladies that have<br />
put together pictures of each child that has been lost into a memorial frame, and<br />
those pictures are being made into a memorial wall for our state. We are asking that<br />
we can get your permission to have the memorial wall placed in the State Capitol<br />
building to bring awareness to the public.<br />
Also, if there are other ways, we can raise awareness we are here to help get it out<br />
there. Billboards, infomercials, and in schools (especially in schools). Also having<br />
available to the public fentanyl testing strips and Narcan. If this is available to the<br />
public, it could save lives. It could’ve saved my son and hundreds of others. People<br />
need to understand the magnitude of deaths due to fentanyl that occurs each hour of<br />
each day. We are losing an entire generation to this poison.<br />
Please, help us help our kids and our country!<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Sandra Cook Estell<br />
Curtis J. Cook’s mom forever 38<br />
AL State Lead Drug Epidemic Memorial<br />
Pell City, AL
Amy Todd’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
I am writing to you today to introduce you to my son, Nicholas Zirlott, who will forever be 21 years of<br />
age even though he was born in 2001. He was lost to us because of a dose of fentanyl. He lost his<br />
battle with mental health illness and addiction on Sept 23, 2022.<br />
Nicholas was not always troubled by these problems. He was actually a very happy kid until his<br />
teenage years. He was small for his age, but his personality was so large that it made up for what<br />
he lacked in stature.<br />
At a young age he already showed signs of being a service to his community. My son spent the<br />
majority of his weekends at the local Volunteer Fire Department where he was an inspiration to his<br />
adult leaders. He advanced and was given his own Fire Fighter uniform. In Middle School came the<br />
induction into the Jr Honor Society with learning coming easy to him without really studying.<br />
Nicholas always had a good firm handshake, gave the best hugs, and was the first to take up for the<br />
“under dog” or for those that were being bullied. In Jr High Nic became part of the School Band<br />
making it to first chair with solo parts in concert. Later he joined ROTC and was a highly awarded<br />
Cadet for a time.<br />
Mental health Issues reared its ugly head at around 16 years of age and led to many trips to a<br />
variety of rehab facilities and eventually to a couple incarcerations in Mobile Co Jail for minor<br />
offenses. At 21 years of age our family lost this sweet, loving young man to his battle with mental<br />
health issues and addiction that led to an overdose of fentanyl.<br />
As <strong>Governor</strong> of <strong>Alabama</strong>, I know that you are an advocate for making mental health help more<br />
available. Your constituents and their children need to be educated about the dangers that fentanyl<br />
presents. We are losing a whole generation of people and no one but the grieving families, seem to<br />
even know that it is happening.<br />
As I am sure you are aware, there is a physical memorial wall full of thousands of beautiful faces<br />
that have been lost to the fentanyl in the DEA building in Washington DC. Sadly, they have run out<br />
of room to display and honor the many that are dying daily.<br />
We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and one with names. I am including Nicholas’<br />
frame, below. I am also including the brochure of virtual memorial walls, albums, and our awareness<br />
campaign. These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos<br />
displayed in hard copy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so families can touch<br />
their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated like victims.<br />
As an Ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall I ask that you assist us in finding a<br />
permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall within our Capitol.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Amy Todd, Nicholas Zirlott’s mom<br />
Dauphin Island, AL
Andrea Moseley’s Daughter
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my sweet, beautiful<br />
daughter, Shelbey Moseley, on March 29, 2023. She is forever 25. She is a victim of<br />
fentanyl poisoning. We are heartbroken. We miss her so very much and we love her<br />
beyond measure. Shelbey was selfless, kind, smart, and funny. She is a daughter,<br />
mother, sister, granddaughter, aunt and friend. Her death has devastated me. No one<br />
should ever have to endure the death of a child. She made the world so much better.<br />
There is a permanent hole in my heart that can never be filled.<br />
Would you assist us in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial<br />
Wall within our capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and<br />
one with names. I am including Shelbey's photo below.<br />
These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos<br />
displayed in hard copy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so<br />
families can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated<br />
like victims. They were all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many<br />
others. Now, they are victims of Chinese and the Mexican Cartels. Many are also<br />
victims of fatal diseases like cancer. We are using the word “drugism” for the<br />
prejudice toward drug users - like racism.<br />
A group of our <strong>Alabama</strong> moms would love to meet with you and work together to<br />
prevent this from happening ever again. We need to start protecting our children from<br />
this horrible disease. We do this to honor our children and all the other victims. I want<br />
Shelbey's story to be heard because her life matters. She matters.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Andrea Moseley<br />
Huntsville, <strong>Alabama</strong>
Deborah Tolbert’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my youngest son,<br />
Jonathan, who is now forever 27. He was poisoned by fentanyl, and I remain<br />
devastated! I loved my son more than words can express and it haunts me every day.<br />
Jonathan was humble, funny and had empathy for anyone that was less fortunate<br />
than him. Jonathan was loved by so many and missed every day. When you must<br />
bury your child, you bury a piece of your heart with them. There isn’t a day that goes<br />
by that Jonathan doesn’t enter my mind. When I wake, throughout the day and when I<br />
lay down at night.<br />
Would you please assist us in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic<br />
Memorial Wall within our capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with<br />
photos and one with names. I am including Jonathan’s frame below. Please help us to<br />
bring awareness to what is happening in our country.<br />
These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos<br />
displayed in hard copy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so that<br />
families can touch their loved one’s name. We would like our loved ones to be treated<br />
as victims as that is what they are. They are victims of Chinese and the Mexican<br />
Cartels. Thousands of our young generation are dying daily from this murderous<br />
epidemic.<br />
A group of our <strong>Alabama</strong> moms and dads would love to meet with you and work<br />
together to prevent this from happening. We need to start protecting our children from<br />
this mass murder. We need to make sure that Jonathan’s death had a purpose and<br />
not just a useless ending with no meaning. My son’s life mattered.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Deborah Tolbert<br />
Odenville, <strong>Alabama</strong>
Donna Lee’s Daughter
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
My name is Donna Lee. I am an ambassador for the drug epidemic memorial wall.<br />
I lost my beautiful daughter, Allison to fentanyl poisoning. She is forever 20. She was<br />
so kind and intelligent. She loved to make people smile. She did not deserve to lose<br />
her life at only 20 years old. She never got the chance to grow up and get married or<br />
have kids. She loved kids and would have made a terrific mother. Anyone that knew<br />
her was devastated by her loss. My pain will never stop.<br />
Will you please help us find a permanent location for a memorial wall within our<br />
capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and one with names.<br />
We would like our loved ones to be treated like victims.<br />
We need to make young people aware of the dangers of fentanyl, as well as other<br />
drugs and how lethal they are. I need to make sure that Allison’s life has a purpose.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Donna Lee, Allsion’s mom<br />
Verbena, AL
Jennifer M. Thrift’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my beautiful son,<br />
PVT Tyler Duncan who is forever 20. He was poisoned by fentanyl, and I remain<br />
devastated. I loved him beyond imagination. Tyler was the kindest, tender, loving,<br />
gentle, sincere, and most compassionate person I have ever known. He always saw<br />
the good in others and always thought everyone deserved a second chance. His<br />
heart was bigger than the entire world.<br />
My son PVT Tyler Duncan was active military at the time of his passing. He was<br />
stationed in Washington State at Fort Lewis-McCord Joint Base. At the time of my<br />
son’s death (PVT Tyler Duncan) he was the second soldier at that base within the<br />
same week that died. PVT Tyler Duncan was born and raised in <strong>Alabama</strong> (Notasulga,<br />
AL). PVT Tyler Duncan was/is someone’s son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend.<br />
He was my son and my world. My world changed forever when I lost my heart on<br />
April 25, 2021.<br />
Would you assist us in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial<br />
Wall within our Capitol? We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and<br />
one with names. I am including PVT Tyler Duncan’s frame, below. I am also including<br />
the brochure of virtual memorial walls, albums, and our awareness campaign.<br />
These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos<br />
displayed in hardcopy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so<br />
families can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated<br />
like victims. They were all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many,<br />
many others. Now, they are victims of Chinese and the Mexican Cartels. We are<br />
using the word “drugism” for the prejudice toward drug users - like racism.<br />
A group of our <strong>Alabama</strong> moms would love to meet with you and work together to<br />
prevent this from happening ever again.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Jennifer M Thrift, Notasulga, AL<br />
PVT Tyler Duncan’s Mom Forever 20<br />
Gone But Never Forgotten
Jeri Money’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
My name is Jeri Money. I currently live in Dothan, AL and have done so almost all my life. No matter<br />
where my life has taken me, or how far from here I have gone, I always seem to come back. I’ve<br />
always said that Lynard Skynyrd had it right! <strong>Alabama</strong>, my home sweet home! Well, it used to be. But<br />
that was before my son was killed by fentanyl. Now I don’t believe I will ever feel “home” again.<br />
I would like to share the devastating loss of my beloved son, Nate. My hope is that through our<br />
collective efforts, we can raise awareness of fentanyl poisoning so maybe other parents will not have to<br />
feel this painful void that is weighing so many parents down now.<br />
A little over fifteen months ago, I felt the warmth of my son’s hand for the very last time on October 29,<br />
2022, eight days after I received the call that no parent should ever have to hear: my son Nate had been<br />
found unresponsive. He was in the office at his job, which was the apartment complex I lived in. He was<br />
the HVAC technician. Nathan worked hard to make something for himself. He had even just invested<br />
money in pressure washing equipment because he wanted to own his own business and make a name<br />
for himself.<br />
Nate was a beautiful soul, filled with dreams, aspirations, and an unyielding love for life. Nate was a<br />
loving brother to his younger twin brothers, and he cherished every moment with them. He was a caring<br />
husband, having celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary just a few months before his untimely<br />
passing. Oh, and I can’t forget he was the daddy to Nova and Jax, his fur babies, who sat for weeks in<br />
the window staring at his SUV, wondering why he hadn’t come inside yet. I know now that dogs surely<br />
do grieve.<br />
Nate had a bright future ahead of him until his life was abruptly ended because he was given a<br />
counterfeit pill. He only took 1/2 of what he thought was a Xanax. The other half was in his pocket. My<br />
son received no justice even though the police copied his phone and read the texts messages of the<br />
transaction that took my son away from me. They saw his location history and went to pick it up on his<br />
lunch break. But I’m told that there is nothing they can do. So, I had to watch dirt be thrown on top of<br />
my baby while the mother of the one that gave my son the deadly pill gets to watch her sons Facebook<br />
reels and TikTok’s. How is this fair?<br />
Nate was taken from us too soon, leaving a void that can never be filled. Nate's story is not unique.<br />
Countless families across our state are facing the same heartache, grappling with the loss of loved ones<br />
to fentanyl poisoning.<br />
We are hopeful that you will assist us in getting a memorial wall placed in our capital. A wall of our<br />
children’s faces to honor their lives and their untimely deaths to the drug epidemic.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Jeri Money<br />
Dothan, AL
Phyllis & John Wheeler’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> Ivy,<br />
I am the mother of Cody Poole. I would like to tell you a little about Cody’s background. My husband<br />
and I adopted Cody as an infant. He is our biological grandson, born to our middle daughter at the<br />
age of 16. Cody’s father was killed in an automobile accident before Cody’s birth. My husband and I<br />
raised Cody as parents and grandparents. At the time of Cody’s birth our youngest daughter was<br />
eight years old. They were best friends growing up and had a brother and sister bond. At the age of<br />
24 my daughter was killed in an automobile accident. Cody was 16 years old, confused<br />
and emotionally broken. He turned to marijuana and Xanax to cope with his pain. My husband and I<br />
were unaware, we too were broken and trying to cope. Cody ‘s drug use spiraled out of control, by<br />
the time he was 24 years old. He was a drug addict. Cody went to at least five rehabs: tried cold<br />
turkey, natural remedies and yes, prayers with each failed attempt Cody was ashamed, apologetic,<br />
broken and felt worthless, and with each failed attempt the drug dealers were there preying and<br />
waiting for Cody ‘s weakest moment. Cody was sentenced to 48 days in jail for a probation violation<br />
in December of 2022. He was released on 2/2/23, the last time we saw Cody was 2/5/23. He was<br />
dropped off at a drug dealer’s house by a friend that day. Cody lived one week after his release. As I<br />
stated earlier the drug dealers were there waiting eagerly, but this time the drug dealer supplied<br />
Cody with a deadly dose of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Cody lived in a tiny house on our<br />
property, that’s where my husband found him 2/8/23 no drugs no drug paraphernalia so basically,<br />
they gave him the deadly dose and dropped him off at home to die.<br />
Cody was the most loving kindhearted person I’ve ever known, but he was also an addict and of<br />
course he acted out of character under the influence, but never once was he disrespectful to my<br />
husband or myself. It took Cody’s death and research to understand addiction is a disease and until<br />
we all realize that and get the justice, we and they deserve by holding the drug dealers accountable<br />
for their actions, “Drug Induced Homicide”, it’s not going to stop.<br />
My child is a victim. He didn’t plan or intend on becoming an addict. He was drawn in and became a<br />
victim of the drug dealers. I pray that our state of <strong>Alabama</strong> will honor my child and all victims of<br />
addiction with a Drug Epidemic memorial wall. A fallen warrior is still a warrior and weakness doesn’t<br />
equal wickedness. My prayer is the memorial wall will also serve as a tool for awareness concerning<br />
drugs, and specifically fentanyl “America’s deadly epidemic”.<br />
Thank you for taking time to read some of Cody’s story. Our hearts are forever broken, our life will<br />
never be normal again. We’re prayerfully awaiting a decision.<br />
Respectfully,<br />
Phyllis and John Wheeler, parents of Cody Poole Forever loved, forever missed, forever 31<br />
Mobile, <strong>Alabama</strong>
Susan Martin’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my beautiful son,<br />
Heath, who is forever 41. He was poisoned by fentanyl, and we remain devastated.<br />
We loved him beyond imagination, and we still cry every day.<br />
Heath was the kindest and most empathetic person I have ever known. He was loved<br />
by so many and he is missed by all. He touched so many lives but most of all he<br />
touched mine. When you must bury your child, you bury a piece of yourself. He is the<br />
first thing on my mind when I wake up and the last thing on my mind when I go to bed.<br />
I pray every night that I see him in my dreams.<br />
Would you assist us in finding a permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial<br />
Wall within our capital? We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and<br />
one with names. I am including Heath’s frame, below.<br />
These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos<br />
displayed in hard copy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so<br />
families can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated<br />
like victims. They were all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many<br />
others. Now, they are victims of the Chinese and the Mexican Cartels. Many are also<br />
victims of fatal diseases like cancer. We are using the word “drugism” for the<br />
prejudice toward<br />
drug users.<br />
A group of our <strong>Alabama</strong> families would love to meet with you and work together to<br />
prevent this from happening ever again. We need to start protecting our children from<br />
this horrible disease. We need to make sure Heath’s death had a purpose or a<br />
reason, not just a useless ending with no meaning.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Susan Martin<br />
Heath's Mom F-41<br />
Birmingham, <strong>Alabama</strong>
Wendy Martin’s Son
Dear <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Kay</strong> <strong>Ivey</strong>,<br />
My name is Wendy, I am Jake's mom. Jake is my first-born son who passed away fifteen days after<br />
his 29th birthday. He was poisoned by fentanyl. He was an amazing soul, a handsome man, a<br />
wonderful big brother, and uncle and is missed every day. I cry each day because I miss him so<br />
much.<br />
We called him "Jake". When he was a baby, he was called " Jake the snake" like the wrestler. Jake<br />
loved wrestling, music, singing, writing music, and he loved to learn. He was kicked out of school in<br />
the 7th grade for something he didn't do. His father and I were separating at the time and his dad<br />
promised to put him in home school but never did. Jake was very smart, he watched the History<br />
channel, and the Discovery channel and he would read a lot.<br />
The night my son passed away was on April 30, 2021, he had just turned 29 on April 15. Jake was<br />
living with his fiancé in January, so he was doing great up until that night. His fiancé told me they<br />
went to Dollar General and Jake walked over to someone in the parking lot. When they got home,<br />
he went to the bathroom to take a bath. She looked and saw what he was doing, and she knew he<br />
had overdosed before, but she walked away from him. He was sitting on the toilet, no clothes on. He<br />
barely had injected the needle in his arm, and he then hit the floor and his head fell over the tub and<br />
when she found him an hour later, she tried CPR and called her friend then called 911. Her friend<br />
called me and basically asked, “Have you heard what happened to Jake?” When I said, “No what's<br />
going on?” she said, “Oh he overdosed. He is dead”. I dropped the phone, and I was screaming. My<br />
other son came out and asked what's wrong and I told him.<br />
This April will be 3 years since he has been gone. I lost my mom in October, 2020 and six months<br />
later I lost my first-born son. I must admit I prayed to God that if it was His will to take him home<br />
because Jake was his son first before he was mine. I love my son and I will see him again.<br />
I'm asking you to help us find a permanent place for our Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall in my capital.<br />
We have created two memorial walls. One with photos and one with names. I have included my son<br />
Jake's frame below. Jake was a victim of drug cartels and pharma companies, but he was also a<br />
victim of a fatal dose of fentanyl.<br />
I'm going to use the word "drugism" as prejudice towards drug users- like racism. We have to start<br />
protecting our children from this horrible disease. We need to make sure Jake's death and every<br />
other child's death had a purpose or a reason not just have them die in vain.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Wendy Martin (Jake's mom)<br />
Carbon Hill, <strong>Alabama</strong>
South Carolina Photo Scrolling Wall:<br />
al.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
National Teen Scrolling Wall Of Photos:<br />
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/photos/teens<br />
National Scrolling Wall Of Photos:<br />
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/photos<br />
National Scrolling Wall Of Names:<br />
https://wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org/
Awareness<br />
Campaigns<br />
School And Community Prevention Tools<br />
I AM A FORCE FOR CHANGE - SCHOOL/COMMUNITY<br />
PREVENTION TOOLS<br />
Manual For Advocates<br />
I AM A FORCE CHNAGE- PREVENTION MANUAL FOR ADVOCATES<br />
Please feel free to share for awareness, prevention and memorials.<br />
To be included on the Memorial Walls go to:<br />
wall.drugepidemicmemorial.org
Direct state links for slideshows<br />
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al.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
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Montana mt.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
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North Dakota nd.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
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oh.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
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Oregon or.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
Pennsylvania pa.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
Puerto Rico pr.drugepidemicmemorial.org<br />
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