02/03/2023
One time is all it takes. One pill, one decision and your life could be over. This is what happened to our son, Danny. April 12, 2020, just 4 days before his 19th birthday, his life was tragically cut short from Fentanyl poisoning. What he believed to be a Percocet was actually a counterfeit pill, laced with deadly amounts of Fentanyl. It has been extremely hard for our family to talk about the worst day of our lives, but together we have made the decision to stand up and speak out against this deadly epidemic.
Danny was an absolutely wonderful young man, full of love, charisma and positivity. He was always the brightest light in the room, and he never hesitated to share that joy with everyone he met. He was the first to offer to help, and the last to leave. Whenever you spoke to him, he took genuine interest in what you had to say, and his charisma allowed him to connect with almost anyone. He was a naturally talented athlete, excelling in everything he tried, but his passion was lacrosse. His dedication and commitment to his team were an inspiration to all. Above all else, he loved his friends and his family. Danny made everyone feel included, and was the first person to call you family.
Danny placed a great deal of importance upon respect, both given and received, and if he didn’t feel respected, he didn’t hesitate to push back, regardless of the turmoil or stress that created. Stresses that, unfortunately, young people aren’t equipped to handle. He was simply looking for a way to alleviate that pressure.
I replay the night our daughter, Katie, received the most heartbreaking phone call constantly in my head. It’s the call no parent ever wants to receive. The next morning is when we found out Danny had taken a Percocet, and I recall thinking there is NO WAY one Percocet was enough to take our son. A friend later asked if it was due to a Fentanyl overdose, which I had never heard of. “Not that I know of, he only took one Percocet.” Once we received the autopsy report, it was confirmed, a lethal dose of Fentanyl is what killed Danny.
Our family feels no shame or embarrassment over the cause of Danny’s death. He was just a kid, a teenager experimenting. He had so many ambitions and dreams that he will never get the chance to pursue because of Fentanyl. Everyone, especially kids, deserve to learn from their mistakes, not die from them. Danny was an incredible son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He was not a drug addict as many of these kids are made out to be. This drug doesn’t discriminate, it could just as easily happen to your friends or family. It is important to share our truths, in hopes that these lessons prevent other families from experiencing our pain. More and more parents are burying their children because Fentanyl doesn’t give second chances. Please talk to your loved ones about the real dangers that are facing our youth. Please share Danny’s story to continue to help save others.
Our family will never recover fully from the loss of Danny; his positivity and radiant light was extinguished far too young. We will continue to share his story, and shed light on the damage that just one pill can do.
Daniel Boyd McCullah Jr.
Forever 18💔