Downey residents create task force to combat fentanyl

DOWNEY - A new community movement is set to take the fight to fentanyl.

Founded by Lissette Rivera, War on Lethal Fentanyl (WOLF) was formed after Downey suffered its own tragedies at the hand of fentanyl.

Rivera says that “some of us felt a need to take action.”

“We’ve been working on this for about five weeks I would say,” said Rivera. “We all came together; each of us has a personal take on it. I myself haven’t dealt with any drugs in my family or myself, but my approach is let’s be proactive, and that’s a sense I get from the group as well, is let’s be proactive instead of reactive; let’s deal with the issue at hand that we’re currently facing.”

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) describes fentanyl as a synthetic opioid 50-100 times stronger than morphine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths, causing over 150 a day.

Fentanyl is found in several forms including powder and liquid. In its powder form, it is commonly mixed with other drugs and made into pills that resemble other drugs.

Tasteless, odorless, and extremely addictive, it is almost impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl.

WOLF member Andy Chavez lost his son to a fentanyl overdose in April. Andy Dally Chavez graduated from Downey High School in 2020 and was only 19 at the time of his death.

“He was hooked on fentanyl for about six months,” said Chavez. “Then he tried to recover and go to rehab. That lasted one month shy of a year, and during that process he passed away. Fentanyl was involved, he relapsed.”

Chavez said he “was able to see firsthand how this grabs people.”

“It makes people transform from an ordinary child and ordinary person to something beyond even an addict,” said Chavez. “I’ve heard mothers say they don’t recognize their child, and that’s very true. We lost our child to this.”

Chavez added that there “were resources that lack” in communities.

“I think that’s why we are here, and that’s the purpose that I’m here,” said Chavez. “During my struggle with my son, very few resources were available. Unfortunately, the police are limited by law and by policy, and there isn’t a lot of laws and policies in regards to fentanyl. Laws are still changing and they’re evolving, and they’re finally adapting to this new poison that’s out in the street, but they’re not where we have full prevention and full security from law enforcement, or even from district attorneys and prosecutors; it’s not being looked at as it should be as of now.”

Member Sonia Pena said “our kids are not aware of the dangers of [fentanyl].”

“Hearing about this, I feel that it’s very important to bring awareness to our kids,” said Pena. “As parents, we might be doing our part, but there might be other parents that aren’t, and I’m not going to wait around for the schools to see what so-and-so is doing or how are they bringing awareness. If we can be that change, we need to be proactive; as a mom, I think that is very important.”

WOLF is self-funded and self-promoted. It’s mission is split into two parts, the first being education, awareness and prevention, and the second eventually being policy and change.

“This whole movement that we have going on has many moving parts,” said Chavez. “If we try to cover it all at once, I think our message is going to be lost. We decided on awareness and prevention as ‘Part A,’ and eventually we’re going to get into ‘Part B,’ or maybe couple ‘Part A’ and ‘Part B’ together.

“As of now, it’s awareness and prevention, and spreading that word as much as we can.”

WOLF already has the support of Councilmember Claudia M. Frometa, who applauded WOLF’s efforts.

“Undoubtedly, our communities are facing a fentanyl epidemic and we must work collaboratively and in partnership to combat this threat to our youth and children through informational and educational forums for parents, children, and teens,” said Frometa. “I have pledged my efforts and involvement from a city standpoint to increase awareness through education and by providing additional resources. Conversations are also happening with our DUSD leaders.

“I look forward to a stronger collaboration with WOLF and our community partners. We are all in this together as our priority is a safe and healthy community.”