On the evening of February 19, 2025, the WSU Psychology Club hosted speakers from RIPple Drug Education and Awareness who would deliver a soul-stirring presentation.
Despite the bitter cold, students bundled up to make the arctic trek across campus, enticed by the night’s events or perhaps the smell of fresh tea and bagels. Some turned in their chairs to visit with their neighbors while others visited the refreshment table. The Psychology Club presidents greeted everyone with a smile at the door, thrilled to see what they described as “the biggest turnout in years.”
Eventually, the murmur died down. As everyone took their seat, Maleah, Diana, and Sara from RIPple took the stage. Each held a picture of a young man in their hands.
Maleah began, “This is my son, Josh, but now we know him as Forever 44. He was a father, sibling, and son. He loved to go outside, he loved to laugh, he loved to make others laugh.” Similar testimonies were shared by Sara and Diana, each mother stating the name of her son, their “forever age” and the joys they shared in life. Some memories brought laughter, a downcast smile, or timeless sorrow.
One newly heartbroken mother, Diana, clutched her son’s photo as she began to speak. “It’s been over a thousand days since he’s been gone. Yes, we all keep track.”
Despite their sons’ different backstories, the there were united by one tragic trait: each had died as a result of fentanyl poisoning. The accounts were deeply moving, and the facts presented were even more so.
For instance, it only takes a few salt grains worth of fentanyl to kill, or 7/10 pseudo-prescription pills contain enough fentanyl to end a life. In this way, drug dealers become death dealers who are reaching into younger demographics through emoji codes on Snapchat.
“The faces on our memorial wall keep getting younger and younger. They are just babies; it breaks my heart.” Sara shared with the audience.
Although the subject matter is heavy, it is not to be taken lightly, for we can gain valuable information even from the bleakest of topics.
“It’s important to have people come and speak because they have had life experiences we might not have had. The only way we can learn is by hearing others’ perspectives.” Erin Farina, Co-president of the Psychology Club said. And learn was precisely what the audience did.
Students leaned forward in their seats. Some blinked tears from their eyes while others stared ahead with a hand pressed to their mouths. The room was silent enough to hear a pin drop. In only forty-five minutes, a lifelong impact was made upon all who listened. Students were amazed by the courage the mothers possessed in light of their circumstances.
“I will remember the mother’s stories. I don’t know how they do it. They are so brave. They are fighting the good fight.” Reagan Roesler, a second-year English major, remarked with admiration. She said this event has encouraged her to attend other events organized by the Psychology Club.
The evening came to a close as Narcan, a lifesaving treatment for overdose, was handed out to the students.
“If you’d like, we have pamphlets, more Narcan for others, or these bracelets. Feel free to help yourself; you never know when you might need it.” Maleah concluded.
Audience members left with potential life-saving information as well as a purple bracelet around their wrist, immortalizing the speaker’s creed: “Stay Safe, Save lives.”
If any student would like to attend an event hosted by the Psychology club, ‘they would be psyched to have you’! Stay in the loop by spotting posters around campus advertising their upcoming activities and social media pages.
