NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., (WFLA) — A group of mothers is continuing the fight against fentanyl by putting up holiday billboards along US 19 in New Port Richey to try and raise awareness.
The fight against the illicit drug is year-round and mothers 8 On Your Side spoke with said the pain gets worse during the holiday season. So they are doing all they can to prevent another family from experiencing this tragedy.
When you lose a child, it’s an unthinkable loss.
“Having a dead child ruins your life, it ruins every holiday,” Andrea Lee said. “You wake up every morning and the first thing you remember is that your child is dead.”
Lee lost her daughter, Amanda, in October 2020.
Tammy Plakstis lost her son, Dylan, in December 2020.
Both Amanda and Dylan lost their lives to fentanyl and their mothers continue to feel the loss.
“They’re not going to be home for the holidays and show how impactful that is,” Plakstis said. “Because people really feel the pain more on the holidays when they have that empty chair at their table because their loved one is not here anymore.”