A tragic loss prompted a Louisville mother to take action towards addressing Black overdose deaths. Ashley Green-Winters, who lost her 3-year-old son, Cassius (affectionately known as “Cash”), to fentanyl poisoning, is now on a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and advocate for widespread access to Narcan.

A Mother’s Loss Sparks Determined Advocacy

On April 19, 2023, Green-Winters’ world changed forever. Cash, who had been spending the weekend at his father’s house, was found unresponsive in bed. At the hospital, the devastating truth was revealed: Cash had died from fentanyl poisoning after unknowingly coming into contact with the substance. Green-Winters, a recovering addict herself, admitted that she hadn’t known much about fentanyl or its dangers before her son’s passing.

Now marking “angel-versaries” for her late son, Green-Winters has turned her pain into action. She has dedicated her life to educating others about fentanyl poisoning and advocating for Narcan accessibility within Black communities.

Tackling the Epidemic of Fentanyl Poisoning in Black Communities

Overdose deaths in Black communities have nearly doubled in recent years, a chilling statistic highlighted by Johns Hopkins University. This issue has only grown in urgency, particularly in Kentucky, where fatalities among Black Kentuckians rose even as the state’s overall overdose numbers declined in 2023.

To combat this crisis, organisations and coalitions have launched campaigns to provide free Narcan in states like Kentucky. Narcan (a nasal spray version of naloxone) has proven life-saving in overdose situations, capable of reversing the dangerous effects of narcotics almost instantly. Yet, access and awareness around the treatment remain limited, especially in underserved Black communities.

“Everyone has said it’s now one of the leading causes of preventable deaths for Black adults in this country,” said Shreeta Waldon, executive director of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition. “And yet, resources aren’t reaching our communities.”

A Community-Driven Approach to Save Lives

Determined to amplify the conversation, Green-Winters participated in a rally in Washington, D.C., with thousands of families who, like her, have lost loved ones due to fentanyl poisoning. She also continues to share her story, aiming to shed light on overdose deaths among Black Americans.

Locally, Green-Winters collects supplies to distribute “diaper bags” equipped with essentials for new mothers. Each bag also contains Narcan and fentanyl testing strips, tools she believes can make a meaningful difference. Her ultimate goal? To advocate for legislation that protects vulnerable children and raises awareness about fentanyl’s silent dangers.

“I want my son to be the face of change,” Green-Winters said. For her, every rally, story shared, or Narcan kit distributed honours her son’s memory and ensures his legacy contributes to saving lives.

The Power of Awareness and Narcan Availability

The coalition-backed campaign, “You Have the Power to Change Lives,” has been instrumental in pushing Narcan availability through outlets like fire departments, community centres, and churches. Green-Winters emphasises that Narcan and fentanyl awareness are vital in reducing Black overdose deaths. She urges the Black community to break its silence and confront the issue head-on.

“This epidemic has been affecting little children, and they have no idea what’s going on,” said Green-Winters. “They’re the most vulnerable in this epidemic, and nobody’s talking about them.”

Her tireless advocacy highlights two critical needs in addressing overdose deaths in Black communities:

1. Expanding Narcan availability through accessible and trusted outlets.
2. Breaking the stigma surrounding fentanyl poisoning and fostering open community dialogue.

Two years after her unimaginable loss, Green-Winters continues her life-long journey to protect others from similar tragedies. With every initiative or rally, she steps closer to her dream of advocating for stronger laws, increased Narcan access, and a broader conversation around protecting children from the fentanyl epidemic.

Source: LPM