One More Hug, One More Smile, One More Kiss: A Mother’s Fight Against Fentanyl
Authored by LaChandra Moore
Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st is a time to remember those we have lost, but as a mother who lost children to overdose, there isn't a day that I don't remember. Though my exposure to drugs began long before, losing my children to fentanyl four months apart shattered my world and ignited my advocacy journey.
In 2016, while incarcerated, I learned of Prince’s death and its ties to fentanyl. Before then, I never imagined that the pills being sold were fake or laced with fatal substances. As someone who previously experimented with pills for relief, hearing this news made me vow to never again touch another pill. After being released from prison, the harm of drugs became evident as I saw how they affected people of all races and ages. I realized the strong grip fentanyl had on communities and families, including my own. Unbeknownst to me, both my children fell victim to pills. I discovered my daughter's ties to pills six months before her death and despite attempts to heal through rehabilitation, I watched as addiction overtook her body until eventually taking her life. Shortly after, my incarcerated son also tragically passed away due to a Fentanyl overdose.
Seeing the profound impact on my family forced me to confront the stark reality that fentanyl can affect anyone, including myself and other members of my family. Instead of letting my tragedies drown me, I used them as stepping stones to drive my advocacy and determination to raise awareness about this life-altering drug.
Between 2001 and 2019, Arkansas consistently reported some of the highest average annual rates of drug or alcohol intoxication deaths in prisons across the United States. Over the past decade, Arkansas has seen a troubling rise in drug overdose death rates, climbing from 12.6 people per 100,000 in 2011 to 22.3 people per 100,000 in 2021. In 2023 alone, over 570 people had their lives taken from overdose. Despite these ongoing struggles, Arkansas continues to prioritize funding incarceration rather than overdose prevention.
Arkansas needs to recognize the failures and harms of past policies and take decisive action to implement compassionate policies that address the root causes of addiction and provide support for those in need. There is an urgent need across the state for comprehensive programs within our prison system to support individuals struggling with addiction. It’s heartbreaking to see so many lives lost due to inadequate support and care. Introducing and effectively implementing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs in prisons will help set incarcerated people up for success when reentering society. Furthermore, we must prioritize classes and training with professional addiction counselors within the prison system.
We also need safer environments within our jails and prisons because recovery and reintegration begin before incarcerated people are released. Prisons are rife with drug smuggling and usage within their facilities. Implementing robust security measures and stringent oversight will help mitigate the influx of drugs and create a safer environment for those seeking to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. Addressing addiction directly and providing comprehensive support will help us rectify the severe issues plaguing our prisons and enable individuals to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
“Don’t give up on your children, especially when they’re grappling with addiction during their young adult years. There are programs and resources out there that can truly make a difference. I didn’t know at the time, but through my journey, I understand the importance of support and intervention. It’s never too late to seek help or offer support to those struggling with addiction.”
Through my grieving, I discovered that the most profound way to honor my children is by ensuring that no more mothers, fathers, or families have to endure the pain I’ve suffered. In conversations with families who have also lost loved ones, they often expressed longing for one more smile, one more laugh, one more cup of coffee, or even a disagreement — anything to hold onto the memories they cherish. These conversations with other families inspired me to launch One More Kiss, a wellness lifestyle brand dedicated to raising awareness and breaking stigmas surrounding fentanyl. Especially within the Black community, where many of us try to sweep this issue under the rug, pretending it doesn’t affect us. However, denying its impact only perpetuates more hurt and suffering.
On Overdose Awareness Day, I will continue to advocate and honor my children by joining Dream.Org’s Public Health is Public Safety campaign. Together, we will call for lawmakers across the country to replace punitive policies with human-centered support systems. By promoting harm reduction programs and services, implementing deflection training within law enforcement, and supporting those struggling with substance use disorders, we can reduce incarceration rates while improving community health and safety.
LaChandra Moore is a 54-year-old mother of four, two of whom were lost to fentanyl poisoning in 2021. She is also a grandmother of nine and an advocate for fentanyl awareness.
