Mom Whose Son Died Hosts Fundraiser To Help Others Addicted To Drugs

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Debbie Santini has experienced the loss and subsequent grief of her son to a drug overdose. Recently, Santini held a fundraiser to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl.

Jesse Byrd died in February from an overdose of fentanyl while at a recovery house in Annapolis. She hopes to help others so that no one experiences the pain she has, Santini told WMAR.

"Hopefully, save another family from going through the devastation of losing a child," said Santini. "No family is immune to this."

Carin Miller, a member of the Maryland Heroin Awareness Advocates, said fentanyl is being phased out and replaced with Narcan-resistant drugs.

"Fentanyl is now being replaced by zylozine. It's a large animal tranquilizer, and they are selling it on the streets as fentanyl and it's killing people because it is Narcan-resistant," said Miller.

To learn more about the organizations supporting this fundraiser, click here.