News Summary
Hundreds gathered at the Washington National Monument for the annual Lost Voices to Fentanyl Rally. Families shared personal stories of loss and advocated for stricter legislation against drug dealers amid the rising fentanyl crisis, which has significantly impacted communities across the nation.
Washington, D.C. – Hundreds of families gathered at the Washington National Monument for the fifth annual Lost Voices to Fentanyl Rally on Thursday, October 18, 2025. The event was organized to highlight the devastating impact of fentanyl and to advocate for stronger policies to combat the ongoing crisis.
The rally began in 2019, established by April Babcock after the tragic death of her son, Austen, due to fentanyl poisoning. It aims to raise public awareness concerning fentanyl-related deaths and lobby for legislative reforms that would impose tougher penalties on drug dealers responsible for distributing the potent substance.
As attendees assembled, they displayed 52 banners that included at least 40 photographs of individuals whose lives were lost to fentanyl. The heartfelt gathering featured numerous speakers who shared personal stories of loss and called for actionable changes in how society addresses the fentanyl crisis.
Danielle Harland spoke at the rally about her son William Klein, who succumbed to fentanyl two years ago. She recounted his struggle with addiction and revealed that he was 56 days sober when he was targeted by a dealer. Similarly, Becky Wade highlighted her daughter’s battle with addiction, sharing that she was unaware of her child’s issues until after her fatal overdose three years ago.
Wade’s grandson, Caden Hill, also expressed his pain over losing his mother at the young age of 13 and voiced his concerns about the need for more stringent laws against drug dealers, emphasizing the emotional turmoil he continues to face.
Fentanyl has been identified as responsible for 70% of drug overdose deaths in the United States over the past year, marking it as the leading cause of death among individuals aged 18 to 45. Evidence of the crisis has escalated alarmingly in several states, including Oklahoma where fentanyl-involved overdose deaths have surged from around 50 in 2019 to over 700 in 2023—a dramatic increase of fifteen-fold.
Gary Feit traveled from Florida to participate in the rally, sharing his story of loss after his son’s accidental death from fentanyl. He underscored the urgent need for raising awareness regarding the severity of the fentanyl crisis, which has touched numerous families across the nation.
Laura Woody, a founding member of the rally, noted the movement’s growth into a network of nearly 39,000 families nationwide affected by fentanyl-related tragedies. Legislative efforts to combat this growing issue are also underway. Virginia is exploring legislation to impose increased penalties on those dealing fentanyl-laced drugs, while Maryland is looking into similar proposals amid recorded numbers of 608 fentanyl-related deaths from January to August 2025.
Furthermore, Jacob Towe is advocating for “Leo’s Law,” named after his three-year-old son who died in 2024 due to fentanyl exposure while in his mother’s care. This proposed legislation aims to require mandatory fentanyl testing in child welfare cases when the drug is suspected, seeking to ensure parental accountability and child safety within the welfare system. The bill has garnered support from various state representatives.
The Lost Voices to Fentanyl Rally serves as more than just a remembrance for the families affected; it acts as a powerful platform uniting individuals in a shared grief, striving to spark legislative changes that could prevent future tragedies related to fentanyl abuse. The movement is underscored by a compelling call to action, seeking the attention of policymakers and society at large to recognize and address this escalating public health crisis.
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Additional Resources
- News9: Oklahomans Take Their Fight Against Fentanyl to Washington D.C.
- WJLA: Lost Voices of Fentanyl Crisis
- Kron4: San Francisco Rally for Fentanyl Awareness
- The Oklahoma Post: Leo’s Law – A Father’s Fight
- Washington Post: Fentanyl Deaths Rally
- Wikipedia: Fentanyl
- Google Search: Fentanyl Crisis
- Google Scholar: Fentanyl Deaths
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fentanyl
- Google News: Fentanyl Awareness
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
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