This fall, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was transformed into a sea of grief and remembrance. Four thousand tombstones stretched across the grass—each one representing a life cut short by substances. The Trail of Truth was more than an event; it was a call to action, shining a light on the nation’s fentanyl and substance use disorder epidemic and urging lawmakers to finally take notice.
Among the rows of stones, families gathered—mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends—united in both sorrow and determination. They came not only to mourn but to make sure their loved ones are never forgotten.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, some of those voices are shared. Angela recorded these interviews on-site at the Trail of Truth event in Washington D.C. The guests speak candidly about what it’s like to love someone battling substance use disorder—the frustration of trying to find help, the constant undercurrent of fear, and, for too many, the heartbreak of loss. These are raw, unfiltered stories. And that is exactly why they matter. Because the more openly this disease is spoken about, the less room shame and stigma have to silence the people who need help most.
Read Angela’s blog about the Trail of Truth:
4,000 Tombstones on the National Mall and One Named Emily
The founder of Trail of Truth, Alexis Pleus, has been featured on the podcast twice before. Once on her own, sharing more about TruthPharm and underreported overdose deaths, and a second time to discuss the Trail of Truth alongside another grieving mother, Kimberly Douglas. You can listen to those episodes below:
Shedding light on underreported overdose deaths with Truth Pharm
Thousands of Tombstones by the U.S. Capitol to Honor Lives Lost to Substance Use
MEET THE GUEST
Tonya Doucette
Tonya Doucette is a grieving mother from Louisiana. She lost her son, Trey during the pandemic. He was just 21 years old when Fentanyl took his life.
MEET THE GUEST
Dawn Carpenter
Dawn Carpenter is a grieving mother from Missouri. Her son, Stone, died of fentanyl poisoning at age 18 in 2021.
MEET THE GUEST
Crystal Daugherty
Crystal Daugherty from Baltimore lost her younger brother Gary at 37, after a battle with substance use disorder that went on for years.
MEET THE GUEST
Sabrina Wipfler
Sabrina Wipfler is from Missouri, and her oldest son has been in recovery from heroin use for more than 14 years. Her nephew, Christopher, tragically died from a heroin overdose nearly 14 years ago.
MEET THE GUEST
Ingrid
Ingrid lost her father to heroin use long before his passing, as much of her childhood and young adulthood were shaped by his struggle with substance use disorder.
