Category: Press Release

TOWN HALL MEETING ABOUT FENTANYL

Wilson County & Adjacent NC Counties

TOWN HALL MEETING ABOUT FENTANYL  (open to the public)
Wilson County & Adjacent NC Counties
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 2:00-4:00 pm

DateSaturday, February 1, 2025, 2:00-4:00 pm
LocationFoundation YMCA of Wilson
233 Nash Street
Wilson NC. 27893
Download Press Release PDF
Contacts
  • Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830
    barb@fentvic.org. website:  www.fentvic.org
    Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic.org), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380 
  • Local Co-Host:  Lisa Bennett, Mother of Mason Bennett, Forever 22. Valued member of fentvc.org. Public safety, education & justice advocate.  229-873-5648  lisawbennett@me.com
Purpose
  1. SAVE LIVES! Public Safety Education Prevention Tools + Naloxone Distribution & Training
  2. Listen-Learn-Interview devastated fentanyl victim families. It could happen to anyone!
  3. Spark public safety conversations about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly counterfeit pressed pills (Adderall, Xanax, Percocet), and access to life-saving naloxone in schools and the community
  4. Connect NC Fentanyl Victim Families to one another for support and advocacy.

Social Media Fentanyl Dealer and Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Read the orignal article on the US Attorney’s Office Eastern District website.

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Raleigh fentanyl dealer who used social media platforms to advertise his product was sentenced to 144 months in prison, which includes an enhancement for the defendant’s attempts to intimidate government witnesses. On April 25, 2024, Axel Rodriguez a/k/a “Flash,” age 23, pled guilty to conspiracy and trafficking of fentanyl.

“Drug traffickers are increasingly pushing deadly fake pills through social media.  They’ve learned they don’t need to stand on street corners when they can reach kids on their smart phones,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Counterfeit Oxycontin, Percocet, and Xanax sold on social media are driving addiction and overdose death. It’s time to get the word out and warn kids of the risks.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, in March 2023, Rodriguez became the subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Raleigh Police Department (RPD) investigation after he was identified as selling fentanyl in the Raleigh area using his Instagram account. Rodriguez regularly used his Instagram account to post pictures of the pills he was selling, as well as guns. Rodriguez would advertise that he was able to sell “K packs” of fentanyl pills, which is slang for 1,000 pills. Investigators reviewed Rodriguez’s Instagram account and observed numerous posts of firearms, gang members with firearms, and fentanyl pills for sale.

The investigation revealed Rodriguez was obtaining thousands of pills at a time and then distributing them in the Raleigh area. Between March and May of 2023, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of blue pills marked “M-30” from Rodriguez. For example, on March 13, 2023, investigators purchased 25 pills marked “M30.” The confidential informant reported that he observed four firearms in Rodriguez’s vehicle during that transaction. The pills tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.

Continue reading “Social Media Fentanyl Dealer and Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison”

Fentanyl Fatality Victim Summit ROBESON County, Pembroke NC

WhenSaturday, September 21, 2024, 10:30am – 3:30pm. Doors open 10 AM
WhereBear Swamp Baptist Church, 1948 St. Anna Road, Pembroke, NC
WhoGuest Speakers: Senator Britt, Representative Lowery, District Attorney Scott, Sheriff Wilkins & 40+ NC Fentanyl Victim Families available for on-site interviews

***Private Event. Must pre-register. Press permitted with credentials. Free On-Site Lunch Provided***

Contacts

Host:Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org
Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic.org), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380 www.fentvic.org
Regional Co-Host: Leslie Locklear, President, Fight4Me Foundation, 910-733-9788, info@fight4mefoundation.org 501(c)(3) EIN: 92-2765832 www.fight4mefoundation.org

Click here or scan QR code to register.

Download Press Release

Fentanyl Awareness Music Video Shoot & Fundraiser

PRESS RELEASE

FENTANYL AWARENESS MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT & FUNDRAISER ~ FREE!

Nonpartisan Family Fun Event with Kid Friendly Activities, Food Trucks & Free Naloxone

WHEN:  Sunday, 5/19/24 from 12 noon – 4 pm with FREE PARKING

WHERE:  Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington NC 28401

WHO:  Open to the Public!  Kid Friendly!  FREE!  Anyone who lost a loved one to fentanyl, allies, advocates for life-saving NALOXONE in ALL NC SCHOOLS, music lovers, students, educators, health care providers, publicity hounds, anyone who dreams of being in a music video, law enforcement, press, nonprofits, those in recovery.

CONTACTS: 

Scott Maitland, Side-By-Side Entertainment, 516-304-6499, sidebysideent@gmail.com

Barb Walsh, fentvic.org, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org

FEATURED ARTISTS:                                    22JAX  &  LADYDICE song collaboration “For Yall”

Z107.5 fm with Foz broadcasting live!

SCHEDULE 12-4pm:  12 gates open.  Entire time = games, raffle, food & music. 1-2pm Nonprofits Speak on Dangers of Fentanyl & Urge Naloxone in ALL NC Schools & Public Spaces.  2-3pm Video Shoot.  3:30 Raffle Drawing. 

NC NONPROFITS WHO FIGHT FENTANYL SAVE LIVES TOGETHER!

Fentvic.org, Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina

Forgotten Victims of North Carolina

Fight4Me Foundation

It’s Bigger Than Me:  Michiko La’Deja Duff Foundation

FACTS:

  • 17,212 NC residents’ fentanyl involved fatalities in 10 years.  Fentanyl fatalities occur in all 100 NC Counties, 2013-Jan 2024 (NC OCME)
  • 469 fentanyl fatalities in New Hanover County in 10 years 2013-3/2023 (NC DPH Injury&Prevention Branch Epidemiology Surveillance Informatics unit)
  • 7 out of 10 ‘street’ pressed copy-cat pills contain lethal fentanyl additives (DEA 2023)
  • 10 NC residents killed by fentanyl each day (NC OCME)
  • This means 10 more NC families implode each day.
  • NC is #4 in nation in fentanyl fatalities (CDC 2023) yet #10 in population.
  • Fentanyl is leading cause of death in NC for 18–25-year-olds (CDC 2022)
  • Links to NC fentanyl fatality data.  Go to www.fentvic.org website, select RESOURCES tab, select NC COUNTY REPORTS, select COUNTY NAME you are interested in.

RULES:  Have fun! Sandbags must be used for all tents and banners, no stakes in ground.  No weapons of any kind.  No alcohol.  No political signs

Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org

Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered ~ Save Lives

DateWednesday 5/1/24
10 am press conference (outside) followed by visits with their Representative and Senator.
LocationNorth Carolina Legislative Building
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh NC 27601

Please RSVP to attend the event (optional).

Download Press Release PDF
Download Agenda PDF

Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org

Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered ~ Save Lives

DateWednesday 5/1/24
10 am press conference (outside) followed by visits with their Representative and Senator.
LocationNorth Carolina Legislative Building
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh NC 27601

Please RSVP to attend the event (optional).

Download Press Release PDF

Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org

Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered

DateWednesday, May 1, 2024, 10:00-11:00 am
LocationNorth Carolina Legislative Building
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh NC 27601

Please RSVP to attend the event.

Download Press Release PDF

Billboard Campaign: Who Dies Next?  fentvic.org hosts PSA Campaign

FIGHT FENTANYL to SAVE LIVES Digital Billboard Campaign

In Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union Counties, NC
1/7—1/21/2024

CONTACT

Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org
Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380 www.fentvic.org
Contact Barb to schedule interviews with local fentanyl victim families

4 LOCATIONS: Gaston, Mecklenburg and Union County, NC (see below)
Gastonia, Gaston County: I-85 just north of Cox Road exit facing South
South Charlotte, Mecklenburg County: 1) I-77 Southbound, near Westinghouse Blvd 2) I-77 Northbound, north of I-485 interchange, 3/10 mile Arrowood Rd
Monroe, Union County: US-74 Walkup Avenue, faces east

DETAILS
  • 1/7@12am -1/21/24@11:59pm. Runs 24/7, digital and illuminated.
  • Hosted by fentvic.org, NC fentanyl victim families and corporate good citizen Adams Outdoor (Julie Belnap, Account Executive)
  • Features 15 NC fentanyl fatality victims killed by fentanyl 15 different ways.
  • 1/20/24 Family Summit on Fentanyl Fatalities: Public Safety, Awareness & Justice.
  • 10:30-3:30. Private Event for NC Fentanyl Victim Families & Press who pre-register. Separate press release to be issued.
PURPOSE:
  1. SAVE LIVES!
  2. Spark public safety conversations within communities and amongst families about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly counterfeit pressed pills (Adderall, Xanax, Percocet)
  3. 7 out of 10 ‘street’ counterfeit pills contain lethal dose of fentanyl additives (DEA 2023)
  4. Raise awareness about 16,228 NC fentanyl fatalities, 2013-September 2023 (NC OCME)
  5. 1,615 fentanyl fatalities combined occurred in Gaston (311), Mecklenburg (1,118) and Union (186) 2013-Sept 2023 (source: NC State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics Death Certificate Data)
  6. Links to fentanyl fatality data on fentvic.org website:
ABOUT
  • Fentvic is a charitable nonprofit located in Wake County NC. EIN #88-3921380
    • Fentvic is a action oriented grassroots nonprofit that promotes Public Safety, Education, Justice, Advocacy, and Support of NC fentanyl victim families in all 100 NC Counties
Download PDF

Vance & Adjacent Counties Fentvic Meetup #7 on 11/5/23

FENTANYL VICTIMS’ FAMILIES ORGANIZE TO FIGHT ILLICIT FENTANYL IN NC!

Fentvic Meetup #7 for Vance & Adjacent Counties NC (open to the public)

DateSunday, November 5, from 2-4PM
LocationPentecostal Holiness Church
621 US-158 Bypass
Henderson NC 27536
Download Press Release PDF
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