Grieving Out Loud with Angela Kennecke
Episode:
109

Mom dies from fentanyl poisoning on son’s 20th birthday

On the latest episode of Grieving Out Loud, your host, Angela Kennecke, speaks with Julie Baumgard, a mother who lost her daughter Shawna to fentanyl poisoning on a day that was supposed to be a celebration: her own son’s 20th birthday.

Julie shares how her daughter Shawna battled with meth addiction but was in recovery when she tragically made a deadly mistake. She tried to buy a Percocet but unknowingly ingested fentanyl, which caused her death. Julie Baumgard speaks candidly about the pain and heartache of losing a child to fentanyl poisoning and how her family has coped with the loss. She also discusses her efforts to raise awareness about addiction and the dangers of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has become increasingly common in drug-related deaths.

Through Julie’s words, we gain a powerful insight into the impact of addiction on families and the urgent need to address the opioid crisis. Her story is a reminder of the importance of reducing stigma, increasing access to treatment, and supporting those struggling with substance use disorders.

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