NJ families grieve, raise awareness of fentanyl poisoning in DEA summit

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (PIX11) - A star high school lacrosse player in Bergen County, New Jersey, Max Lenowitz had many friends and a bright future. On July 14, 2022 - his 25th birthday - he took what he thought was Xanax -- and ended up being pure fentanyl.

Now, his mother, Patrice Lenowitz, is his voice to the world.

"Prior to losing Max, I knew nothing about fentanyl," said Lenowitz. "The most important thing we can do right now is to try to raise awareness, and the only reason I'm able to stand before you right now is that's the only thing that gives me purpose right now."

She's one of many parents who came to Rutgers University Thursday for the DEA New Jersey Field Division's Family Summit. Together, parents who have lost children to fentanyl overdoses learned about how to deal with grief and talk about how they can spread awareness.

"It's so painful to come here," said Lenowtiz, "and all these other families are grieving the loss of their loved one."

A little over a year ago, Gina Rahim of Red Bank lost her son, Dillon, in a very similar situation -- taking a pill that was for sleep, not knowing it was laced with fentanyl.

"I'm not always strong," said Rahim. "There are times where I can't really lift myself up and move forward knowing I've lost my first love. His life has to serve a purpose, and the purpose, I believe, is to be able to save other kids."

"We hope they continue to spread the message, share their stories," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz.

According to the DEA, only 2 milligrams of fentanyl is enough to be lethal.

"It is the leading cause of death for those 18 to 45 years of age here United States," said Ortiz. "Our DEA labs are showing seven out of 10 pills seized contain a lethal dose. This is a crisis. This is an absolute crisis."

"I definitely don't think we talk about it enough," said New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan. "I think the fact that we lost 112,000 Americans last year to it -- imagine if we lost that many people on our highways, what highway traffic safety we would be talking about."

Rahim said more needs to be done by the federal government to fight the fentanyl crisis.

"I hope that other families' lives can be saved and their futures not ruined, as I feel like mine is," said Rahim.

Last year, in Max Lenowitz's memory, the New Jersey Legislature passed a joint resolution designating July 14 of every year as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day.