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One Pill, One Life: Tampa Bay Mom Honors Son Lost to Fentanyl

by Cory White
0 comments 2 minutes read

Two years have passed since a Tampa Bay mom tragically lost her 27-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose. Now, she’s passionately raising awareness about the deadly dangers lurking in her community.

Willis visited Siesta Beach on Saturday to honor the memory of her son, Zachary.

“That was our last Mother’s Day together. We hung out, talked, and enjoyed Wawa hoagies. That’s what I did today,” Willis reminisced. May 2022 marked the last time she saw her son before he moved to Colorado for a job.

“Seven weeks later, we received the devastating call that he had died from fentanyl poisoning,” said Willis.

Zachary had purchased two oxycodone pills, unaware of their lethal contents. He was only 27 years old.

“His toxicology report revealed enough fentanyl to kill 20 people,” Willis shared.

Determined to prevent other mothers from enduring such heartache, Willis has made it her mission to spread awareness. Zachary’s photo now adorns a South Tampa billboard, highlighting the fatal risks of fentanyl.

“My heart sank when I realized I had to see my son’s face on a billboard about fentanyl,” she said.

Sadly, Willis is not alone in her grief. She is part of Rachel’s Angels, an organization dedicated to discouraging drug experimentation through education and awareness.

“We distribute free Narcan and work to raise awareness about the dangers,” she explained.

Though two years have passed since Zachary’s death, Willis keeps his memory close.

“I wear his thumbprint close to my heart,” she said.

Next week, Willis will travel to Washington D.C. for the Lost Voices of Fentanyl rally. She will march in front of the White House, striving to save lives in her son’s memory. WFLA initially published the story.

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