No parent should have to endure the pain of burying their child, but the prevalence of a potent and deadly drug is leading to such heartbreak far too often.
In March 2017, Sherri Kent had to bid farewell to her 22-year-old son Michael, unable to save him despite her deepest wishes.
Sherri now shares her heartbreaking experience in the hope of raising awareness and potentially saving other young lives. She posted a touching photo on Facebook, depicting herself by her son’s hospital bedside.
“My son was not an addict. He simply made a mistake that cost him his life,” she expressed.
Michael Kent, a 22-year-old from British Columbia, lost his life to fentanyl, a dangerously potent drug similar to heroin but significantly stronger. The drug’s minute difference between an effective dose and a fatal overdose makes it particularly perilous.
Calgary Police Department reports reveal that Michael’s tragic case is not unique – fentanyl claims the lives of three to four individuals daily in Alberta alone.
Sherri’s heartfelt message extends not only to Canadian parents but to parents worldwide in areas where fentanyl may be accessible to young people.
“I want everyone to know my son Michael died from an overdose of fentanyl,” Sherri emphasized. “There is an epidemic claiming 5 to 7 lives daily in every city across Canada.”
Tragically, Michael’s encounter with fentanyl proved fatal with just one use.
During a routine grocery trip, Michael was offered a potent form of heroin by an acquaintance. Though initially hesitant, he accepted the offer the following day.
Both men consumed the drug in a store restroom. Alarmed by Michael’s severe reaction, the acquaintance fled and returned with the store owner after realizing the gravity of the situation.
“When the ambulance arrived, he was already in a coma,” Sherri recounted to the CBC.
Michael’s fentanyl intake led to his hospitalization in the intensive care unit and his passing a week later.
As Michael’s mother came to terms with her son’s impending departure, she shared a poignant moment with him.
“I got into bed with my son to talk to him,” Sherri shared. “I reassured him that I was still proud of him.”
Although a small solace for Sherri, her emotional Facebook post has garnered over 110,000 shares, spreading awareness about fentanyl and potentially preventing future tragedies.
Let’s ensure that Michael’s story lives on. Share this mother’s post with your Facebook friends!
