SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As travelers drive down Interstate 5 in North Natomas, they'll see a billboard with an ad aimed at raising awareness about fentanyl. The ad tells a story that could save someone's life.
The message is about the dangers of fentanyl, a substance that is 50-times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
The billboard on Bayou Way facing I-5 was organized by Drug Induced Homicide, through local members.
More than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some might not even know it is in something passed off by a dealer.
The story hits close to home for Chris Didier whose 17-year-old son, Zach, died in 2020. He said Zach and a friend met with someone from Snapchat selling what he thought was Percocet, but it turned out to be a fake pill.
"He unwittingly ingested fentanyl from a fake pill. He and a friend of his, they were told that this was pharmaceutical grade medicine that dentists give to their patients to help with braces and help with managing pain."
The pill ended up having a lethal amount of fentanyl, taking the life of the Whitney High School senior in Rocklin. His father said he was a straight-A student, athlete, musician and played the lead role in a school musical.
Since this tragedy, Zach's family has been active in raising awareness about the danger of fentanyl to prevent needless deaths. He said education and awareness are of utmost importance, aided by efforts like the billboard.
He wants parents to know this important message:
"For our families and parents who think, 'Well, I feel bad, but this isn't going to happen to my family, not my child,' I urge you to think about that again, because so many stories like ours is a young person not knowing what they are doing and had no history of drug addiction," Didier said.
He continues to fight to stop the stigma, save lives and hold dealers accountable.
In addition to raising awareness, the organization, Drug Induced Homicide, provides resources and support to families of victims. To learn more, click here.
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