SAN DIEGO — There's a new push in San Diego to spread awareness about the risks of fentanyl. Local families are using their grief to potentially save lives.
"Know none of them deserved this," said Christina, Daniel's mother.
Family and friends gathered Thursday where a new billboard is up near Market and Euclid Avenue.
"Leo was my second born son and he was a wonderful," said Marcella, Leo's mother.
The billboard shows seven faces and an important message: "Speak up about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning. We no longer can."
"Jonathan was 22 when he passed," said Alisandra, Jonathan's mother.
These mothers have banded together for a common cause.
"Fentanyl took him away and has left a void in my family," said Alvie Perry, Major's mother.
They have all lost a son to fentanyl.
"He had a lot of dreams, a lot of aspirations," said Gloria, Anthony's aunt.
Now they're standing together and looking up at the billboard, hoping others will look up at it too.
"These seven victims could be saving lives right now if people pay attention to their message," said Stacy, Anthony's mom's friend.
They want people to take the dangers of fentanyl seriously.
"We hope the message is powerful enough to save a life or change their lives or give them the power to call and want to get help," Marcella said.
For these families, it's all about spreading awareness and preventing another life from being taken too soon.
"We just need to get this through to kids in school and let them know this stuff is real. It's like Russian roulette you just don't know," said Christina.
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