Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Families Who Lost Loved Ones To Illicit Drugs Spread Awareness Of Dangers

Loved ones of people who have died from an illicit drug overdose are spreading awareness with their annual courthouse rally.

This is the seventh year of the rally, and it is put on by Families Supporting Families and the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office.

One mother says she hopes that this rally continues the conversation about how deadly fentanyl is and how common it’s becoming.

Fifteen-year-old Hunter Hamilton died in 2021 when he was experimenting with drugs with a friend.

Whitney Ruggles is Hamilton’s mother, and she had never dreamed this would happen to her family.

“I never thought that I would be here,” said Ruggles. “He should be graduating this year, a senior. But instead, he passed away when he was a Freshman. It's hard to imagine.”

Since Hamilton’s death, Ruggles has been talking about the dangers of fentanyl to anyone she can and joined support groups like Families Supporting Families, who understand the pain she’s going through.

Families Supporting Families is a group of family members who have all lost a loved one to a drug overdose.

“Just being next to them helps,” said Ruggles. “Going and talking to kids and talking to the community, and trying to share our story and share awareness, that really has helped me beyond belief.”

Her message for other parents is to not shy away from talking to kids about the dangers of using drugs because fentanyl is showing up in everything.

“Fentanyl is so potent that just a few grains of salt can kill a full-grown adult,” said Ruggles. “Just like the tip of a pencil could kill you.”

Ruggles can’t bring Hamilton back, but she hopes by sharing his story, she can help other families avoid this devastating pain.

“If he knew that it would have happened, there's no way he would have taken it,” said Ruggles. “Kids don't understand the concept of their consequences. They don't understand that this really could be the end.”

How To Get Help

If you suspect someone is overdosing, call 911.

Administer NARCAN if it's available.

You also need to try to keep the person awake and breathing, lay them on their side to prevent choking, and then stay with them until first responders arrive.