A Mother’s Plea: Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis and Accountability at the Border

A Mother’s Plea: Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis and Accountability at the Border

I am a mother of four, forever haunted by the loss of my firstborn son, Weston. Weston was just 15 years old when a fentanyl-laced pill took his life in 2022.

My son was not an addict; he was a vibrant, active teenager with a heart full of dreams and laughter. He attended church twice a week, played football and hockey, surfed in the Pacific, and his laugh could light up any room.

As a mother, I tried my best. I cheered him on at games, cooked family dinners, and volunteered at his school. Yet, none of my efforts could save him from the poison that is tearing apart families across our nation.

Weston’s death was not an overdose; it was a tragic poisoning. Like many teenagers, he made the mistake of taking a pill from a friend, believing it to be safe. Just one pill, one single mistake, was all it took to rob us of his future and to steal my son from our family.

The Consequences of Failed Policies

Because of the misguided border policies from the previous administration, our children can no longer learn from their mistakes; now they pay for them with their lives.

I firmly hold President Joe Biden and every Democrat who supports open borders responsible for my son’s death. Each one shares in this accountability.

When Biden assumed office in 2021, we were living in Southern California, and he opened our borders wide. This decision transformed our borders into a highway for chaos, facilitating a dangerous influx of cartels, traffickers, and illicit fentanyl. I never imagined that this deadly crisis would one day take my son from me. I believed such tragedies happened only to others, seen only on the news.

Ignoring the Crisis

However, the policies enacted by Biden and his border czar, Kamala Harris, ignored the poison flooding our streets. Their decisions allowed this crisis to unfold unchecked, leading to families like mine suffering immense losses.

Illicit fentanyl is currently the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45, responsible for nearly 70% of the 110,000 overdose deaths reported each year in our country. One pill. Just one pill can extinguish a life. Weston’s death stands as a heart-wrenching testament to this truth.

This epidemic is not merely about addiction; it’s about a rampant supply so lethal that it traps our youth. Where does this poison originate? It comes from Mexico, where cartels operate with impunity; from Canada, where fentanyl labs flourish under inadequate oversight; and from China, which continues to ship chemicals that fuel this crisis. For far too long, these nations have turned a blind eye while our children perished.

Trump’s Strong Stance Against Fentanyl

In stark contrast, I am grateful for President Donald Trump. He recognizes the severity of the fentanyl crisis, a commitment I wish had manifested when Weston was still alive. President Trump is implementing tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, holding these nations accountable for the unchecked flow of this poison into our country.

He is not simply discussing the issues; President Trump is targeting these nations where it truly hurts: their economies. He understands that Mexico’s government protects the cartels, argues against Canada’s lax regulations, and counters China’s distribution of precursors. We have reached a breaking point.

A Wake-Up Call for Accountability

These tariffs serve as a wake-up call, demanding accountability from our neighbors and trading partners. They send a clear message: cease the drug flow, or face serious economic repercussions.

Some critics have raised concerns regarding the tariffs’ costs, but I challenge them to consider the cost of a child’s life. How do you place a value on my child or the countless others who have lost their lives due to the ineffective policies of the last administration?

I would pay any price to have Weston back, and President Trump understands this anguish. As a father and a fighter, he uses America’s economic leverage to protect families like mine. This issue transcends politics; it is about our very survival.

Remembering Weston

I think of Weston every single day. He should be 18 now, planning his future and choosing a college major, not being reduced to a name on a headstone. Biden’s open borders contributed to letting this poison flood in, but Trump’s tariffs represent a step towards protecting our children from this crisis.

It is too late for my son, but it is not too late for yours. The fentanyl crisis has claimed too many lives, stealing hundreds of thousands from American families, creating a legacy of pain.

Continuing the Fight

President Trump is taking a tough stance, demonstrating he is willing to implement different solutions. For this, I extend my gratitude, Mr. President. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this fight. Keep pushing forward!