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Anne Fundner spoke at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night to discuss the fentanyl crisis and even received a standing ovation from the Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump.
Fundner is the cousin of Gambling911.com founder Chris Costigan.
In 2022, while attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Anne received the news that her 15-year-old son Weston had passed away in his California home from fentanyl poisoning. Weston was the oldest of four siblings. It was a very sad day for the entire family.
Speaking before the RNC crowd and the former U.S. president, Anne shared her story.
"He was an amazing big brother to his three younger siblings. Weston attended church twice a week, played football and hockey and he loved to surf. He had a big heart and he loved to make people laugh. He had so many good friends. I was always vigilant to be the best mother that I could ever be.
Gambling911 founder cousin Anne Fundner talks at #RNC about the #Fentanyl epidemic and how it took her oldest son Weston’s life. pic.twitter.com/IV6iJLu78i
— gambling911 (@gambling911) July 17, 2024
"His school ambassador and I attended all of his sports. We had family dinners and barbeques at the beach. And like most teenagers, Weston wanted to fit in.
"In a moment of peer pressure, he tried something that someone gave to him and it took my baby's life. We did everything right. I had those conversations with him and fentanyl still found my son."
Gambling911 founder cousin Anne Fundner speaks at RNC about fentanyl epidemic and how it tragically took the life of her oldest son Weston. pic.twitter.com/kBYrjUqY7X
— gambling911 (@gambling911) July 17, 2024
The number of fentanyl deaths declined slightly in 2023, from 76,226 in 2022 to 74,702.
According to the CDC, 107,735 Americans died between August 2021 and August 2022 from drug poisonings, with 66 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
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