FENTANYL POISONING: Cameron White's Story 

Chelsie, I used to babysit Cameron when he was young. His mother and I were best friends in kindergarten and his grandmother a close family friend. I’ve seen stories like this but never about someone I knew. For those who didn’t know him, he was a great kid/young man. I had heard how great he was doing and that you two had gotten engaged to be married. I am so sorry this happened. Everyone that knew him and loved him has been absolutely devastated by this. Cameron, you beautiful sweet funny artistic smart boy … you will be forever loved and forever missed. Thank you for loving him Chelsie 💜💛💙

I am an EMT, currently in paramedic school moving up the ranks. On behalf of all EMS, I apologize for how those medics treated you. My heart truly goes out to you, addiction is a terrible disease and it's robs not only those affected but also the people around that person who cherished and loved them. After I incident like that, you still have the kindness in your soul to even say you know all responders aren't like that. I myself work with and know some people who probably shouldn't be in the field because they don't know how to express compassion and empathy. Also, I know this won't change anything or make you feel much better but I would like to share some insight on why the medics came downstairs so quick. sometimes understanding helps. The medics could have very well wrapped it up after 30 seconds. Most of the time it's not for lack of trying or care. The reason is after a heart has been in asystole for so long (not beating) with no rhythm or electricity ,there is no drug in the world that will restart it or fix it. Hypoxia has set in, brain death is done and cellular death has begun and is irreversable. In cardiac arrests, CPR is to keep oxygen perfusing the brain because we all still have some left over in our blood that somtimes is JUST enough to keep the brain going until we can restore a rhythm. If the medics arrived and knew cpr was already initiated x amount of time ago and signs of rigor and obvious death are present, there's just nothing we can do and the best thing to do is stop. If its been too long, theres no point and its a lot traumaon the patients body and wasted effort. A lot of the times we check the heart rhythm and if it's gone it's gone. We run a code (hook up lines, push drugs, intubate and breath, transport) if the person just went down or is in a cardiac rhythm that can possibly be fixed. This is unfortently is a classic circumstance where we would stop resuciation efforts or not even start them) due to the signs of death (long down time, body cold, other signs of clinical death like unreactive pupils, livor mortis, rigidty, temperature, asystole, etc). Sometimes people see us and they go "they didn't even try!" But it's like, we check for certain things and if they don't meet the criteria it isn't worth trying. It's like trying to start a engine without gas, you can turn the key all you want but the engine won't ever start without the gas. And I can assure you, it is the most frustrating and hardest part of our job...to know there is nothing we can do and we have to stop. It haunts a lot of us, especially when the patient is young, loved, and had so much to still give the world. We pride ourselves in trying and "getting back " the toughest calls. But sometimes, the most compassionate thing we can do is simply stop or not start. It's a tough decision to make and sometimes egos get in the way. But when it's like that, I'd rather not break ribs, make holes and tubes everywhere, and keep the family wondering for half n hour giving them hope. Sometimes it's best to stop, let the person stay peaceful and tell the family as soon as possible so they can go be with their loved one a few moments longer before they're taken away. I always ask myself "where can I best help and be of most use". Sometimes it's "I can get them to have a few more last moments together to help them grieve". I just wanted to explain on all this so everyone knows what they could expect when they dial the dreaded 9-1-1 numbers. And also, if you ever call 911 and some one is egregiously rude to you...don't ever be afraid to call the company or fire dept and let the supervisor or captain know. Sometimes people in this field need to be checked and reminded that their everyday is someone else's worst day. This is a tough field, burn out is so real and morale is super low (esp after covid) but ppl shouldn't forget why they went into the field, to help... Not to HURT. Sometimes all it takes, a phone call to a supervisor for them to get back into the right frame of mind. Also, if you get an exceptional responder who really went above and beyond for you, call too. We need positive reinforcement and the supervisors need to know who's doing well. I will say a prayer for Cameron and keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Stigma is such a horrible thing, it kills. He did not die in vane, please know this. And your decision to do this clip is very brave and amazing. It will help others and unite us all on this issue.

She said it was normal in high school for people to be on xanax, I'm 8yrs older than her and xanax was not normal in high school for us just weed. Something changed in the early 2000s to make it normal. My ex husband became an opioid addict in 2007, these videos have been very eye opening about what was going on back then.

Damn, this has to be so hard to do. I hope you can slowly get your life back. I hope that this doesn't crush your spirit and that you find some strength in telling Cameron's story to the world. We all hear it and see it. He is not forgotten.

The way the whole situation was handled is so upsetting. It would have been so easy to treat her as a human being experiencing something traumatic. Those first moments can make such a difference.

I want to give her a big hug. She has been through so much trauma.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I've lost 5 friends in 1 yr. This isn't a crisis anymore it's an epidemic and America is slowly dying behind this drug. We need divine intervention at this point 👉

Wow she was accused of not doing enough to save him. That’s so mean and cruel and she has to grieve this loss already without other people trying to make it worse.

The emts really get me. I’ve heard so many stories of people being guilted into cpr in the phone even though the person is clearly dead. It’s an understandable protocol but if there is no pulse and they are icy can’t they call it off?! How traumatic and awful.

I'm really sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story. My husband and I just passed 5 years clean in November. It's not easy! I work in recovery now and I hope I make a difference in someone's life. 🙏 💜

Much respect to the people making these short films and those who are telling their difficult personal stories. Alas, many people have become so cold, self-righteous and one dimensional. Not only on 911 calls but here in the comments section and on social media more broadly. Newsflash: addicts don’t have great insight - they don’t look at their addiction from a neutral, objective baseline. A few of you need to learn a little compassion before looking down your nose at those who have died and trolling those who are left to pick up the pieces.

So sorry for your loos 😢I’ve lost my son to fentanyl on June 24,2022 forever 29 ❤ I miss him every minute of every day. He was so thoughtful & kind , I know he didn’t want to die. There are so many , too many people dying this way it breaks my heart. This is our family’s first Christmas without him 😢His sisters,nephew & niece will be thinking of him .

As a first responder for close to 22 years and a recovering addict myself this hits on so many levels. First off, I’m so sorry for your loss, and I’m sickened for how you were treated by the EMS personnel who responded to look at your loved one. Nowhere NOWHERE is there ANY excuse to belittle, be rude, disrespectful, and act cold hearted towards someone who just lost their loved one. Clearly they are burnt out and need to move along to another career. You don’t EVER say that EVER! It’s so against every moral I have. When I took an oath to protect and preserve life, nowhere in there did it say “be a bitch and preach anything police matter related to a family member”. You should of been treated far better than that. I would of made a complaint to that agency wether it be fire, a private ambulance company, whoever but that was 100% inappropriate, unnecessary, unprofessional and just plain heartless. Some people have this stigma in society that people who have substance abuse problems are the filth of the earth, when in fact they are the most broken, lonely, people who are ashamed of their addiction. At least I can speak for myself when I say that. I got clean in 2007 but have relapsed 2 times since, but I know the inner demons I fought to live, not give up, and get back to trying to do life sober, and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s an ongoing battle. My heart goes out to you. That day he passed another angel got their wings, and I’m sure he’s watching over you. I hope that one day you will find peace and start healing from your profound grief. I’m sorry your heart was broken, and you were treated so shitty by people who go into these fields to help others from a caring place not a cold, bitter one. God Bless you sweetheart. My deepest condolences.💐❤

Yes… I agree EMT’s and medics are cold and not empathetic. I’m a nurse and deal with them often and it’s my constant fight to work together. But I 100% get how they feel. I feel like it’s what happens over time …. One becomes numb. They kinda have to… they have seen a lot of shit dealt with a lot of shit like most medical personnel. I’m sorry this happened to you. You definitely deserve better.

It’s so sad to hear all these stories about ppl dying over fentanyl sorry for your loss

the sound of her voice at 14:47 literally made my chest sink. i feel for this woman and everyone involved. hopefully she can eventually find peace within herself and move on with life. you can never get over loss of a loved one, you just learn to live with it in time. You find comfort in loss and know that the person will forever be with you in the memories you shared. That is something that can never be taken away.

I appreciate her sharing so that others might learn. My mind is blown. In the 80's, at most in my high school was a little tobacco use and someone sneaking a drink. Life is really different today for those in high school.

'The struggles of loving a person with substance abuse disorder." Thank you for sharing the most awful tragic reality of this crisis. Im sending your story to people i love who also struggle with opioid abuse.

This is so sad... They don't know the sadness they will leave behind when they leave their love ones..

While I have my DEEPEST condolences... She clearly loved him for over 15 years... But she lived in an endless circle of his addiction. She saved his life a year prior. That's no way to live constantly on edge wondering when the next time you'll have to save their life or even see them dead... Which ultimately, she did.

This story haunt’s me. I am so sorry for your loss and what you had and have to go through. I almost lost my brother to fentanyl. He was saved by paramedics with narcan only to lose him a few years later to liver failure from alcoholism. 🌹Prayers for you and family.

I'm going on 6 years clean this upcoming april 13th. I struggledvwith heroin/fentanyl addiction for 10 long years. Im glad I made it out alive. Suboxone treatment was the only way for me.

The way you spoke of him so full of love was so beautiful. I'm so sorry for your loss, Chelsie.

I still cannot believe he's gone, he was such a treasure of a human being and is so greatly missed. My heart goes out to you and all of us who knew and loved him. Sending my love to you ❤

Finally, someone gets how I feel. I lost my husband a year ago to fentanyl- he is my soul mate, & half of me is missing. I will never ever get over losing him. Our kids & I are devastated. I hate when ppl say “you’re young, you’ll meet someone else”, no, you don’t get it, we literally would finish each other’s sentences. I’m broken without him.

She doesn't know it yet but her life will be better. That dude put her through hell it sounds like. A very understanding partner she was. Sad situation. She seems really sweet i hope she finds peace

TPD this was really sad. I can only pray these murders will stop. My condolences to this young woman and Cameron’ family and friends 💔

Rest easy Cameron. So sorry for your loss sweet lady. 💕💔

I really like these videos I had a best friend who passed from a fentanyl overdose and hearing other people's stories help

I'm so sorry for your loss and that this happened to you. You did not deserve to lose your partner that way. Fentanyl is almost worse than heroin because it masquerades as seeming innocuous drugs. These videos are so important. Thank you for sharing your story.

agree,she's been through alot of trauma,quite brave telling the story..

I’m so sorry. I feel your pain, I’m IN that pain. I lost my husband to a Fentanyl overdose. Worst day of my life. All you can do is just keep going. People say, “It gets easier with time & time heal heals all wounds.” That’s a load a bullshit. Our hearts learn to adjust to the pain somehow, it doesn’t get better we just learn to live with the loss somehow. By heart aches for you, and tonight I’m thinking of you and praying you can find a bit of hope n healing. Reach out anytime.

Your a true lifer… camron knows how lucky he was to have you. He’s truly happy and at peace. Please keep moving forward, godless…

My best friend, Kimeran, died of a fentanyl overdose on Christmas eve 2007. God bless you. I walked around for at least a year reeling as if I had been punched in the gut. God bless you! We were arguing, too.

Wow...the way you told the store I could feel the Love you both shared made me cry...I don't cry for much..sorry this happened..the way you explained everything...definitely will help other's...what a fantastic woman you are...Dammit i cried writing this!!...

How horrible....this story was so gut wrenching. RIP Cameron and may God bring comfort and wisdom and peace to this young lady and his family in this difficult time 🙏🕊️💜. Working in a hospital pharmacy I work with Fentanyl but never in my wildest dreams could I imagine folks getting it from the streets 🥺.

I was an emergency call handler, and I'm sorry the EMT spoke to her in that way. Most other countries that use MPDS stick to a script for this reason. If someone says it's too late, we are trained to say 'tell me why you think so', and then we need to hear specific indicators like stiff, rigor mortis, etc and I believe we needed to hear 2 or 3 signs otherwise we had to give CPR instructions. There have been times a caller thought a patient was dead then they turned out to be alive. My heart hurts for anyone who has had their trauma confounded by a lack of compassion from front line services. I have experienced it also, and it's awful. Furthermore, you never forget it.

I wish the 911 operator and rescue had had been more empathetic and comforting. Obviously he had passed hours before you found him. So sorry for this loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. I am also appalled by the way you were treated by the EMTs and everyone else involved. You didn't deserve that. I wish you happiness and peace.

I feel for her. No one you love should put you through anything like this. Sending her love

😢I'm so sorry for your loss. I will pray for you and your family

Don’t worry, you’re NOT alone, thank you for talking about it.

I’m sorry that you had to go through that. May god help you to cope. Condolences to the family.

I am so so sorry. My husband and I have been married for almost 20 years. I have been clean for 17 years, but my husband has relapsed multiple times over the years. It is not an easy life. We've had the best times and the worst times. I cannot imagine what you've gone thru. I am so sorry.

This is heartbreaking 💔 I’m sorry for your loss and I’m so sorry the police treated you so bad.

Oh My Sweetgirl...your story has broken my heart. I am so glad you found a counselor right away for yourself. I wish I could just hug you in person to let you know it wasn't your fault, seriously chances are he had no idea it was Fenytnol. This war with this drug is just getting worse and is claiming its victim by the heartbreak. So very sorry for your Your loss Babygirl. 🌹🙏💞luv from Ohio....a Grandma & Fenytnol survivor Xs and Os

I’m so sorry, just from what you’re saying it’s obviously was a beautiful person. May God bless you with peace hope and love.

So sorry for your loss. I wish you all the best. You deserve it!

I'm truly sorry for your loss. So many families are affected by this drug. I hope that things are going good for you now.

I’m so sorry you had such a horrible experience. It’s already traumatic enough, you didn’t need that on top of it. I’d file a complaint asap. And lots of them. Sending you lots of love, hugs and healing vibes

Thank you operator for traumatizing this young lady. 🤬🤬🤬

The drug dealer asking if he liked the pills AFTER he had died. Absolutely outstanding.

Sadly, that's the problem with people who abuse drugs, they not only destroy their own lives but also their loved ones. You can't tell by looking at a substance what's in it so it's like playing Russian roulette. I'm horrified how the different emergency responders treated this woman, 'are refusing...' How dare that person say those words to someone who's going through probably the most traumatic event in their life. It's no wonder she's seeking counselling. What a heartbreaking story. RIP Cameron

I had fentanyl prescribed to me in a patch form. The first patch made me throw up so the does was lowered. I finally had the surgery and was told I had to continue the patch and be taken off gradually. I went home took the patch off and didn’t fill the prescription. I never felt a “high” from the patch, I never thought I was chemically addicted. The withdrawal was horrible and took many many of the worse of my life to get to the other side. It would have been so much easier to put a patch on hell is not a good place. Thank God I had 3 children that were my responsibility that I love more than anything .

These videos need to be shown in all schools grade 6-12. Let’s educate our children! Their lives depend on it!

I'm so sorry. That is all I know to say. I'm really sorry for your loss.

There’s always that person apologizing for someone’s actions…

Cameron was one of my favorite people I had ever met. I miss him so much 🖤

Your a strong woman, so proud of you. I can't believe how cold 911 was to you. My deepest condolences to you & to his family. 🇨🇦🙏🙏❤

My heart is aching🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

My God. I am so sorry! And especially what with the way they treated you on top of how traumatic the situation was already! How awful. Too many people are dying so needlessly! 🙏😥

I am deeply saddened by your loss and the trauma that you have been faced with. I can not imagine how horrific this has been. NOBODY, unless they have suffered a tragedy such as this knows your devastation. Surround yourself with people who have compassion for your pain and that will love you on your journey through grief. Grief is the price we pay for love. You will find a place for your grief. You will find your joy again. It takes time. Be a stand for his untimely demise, tell your story; educate our children. To the parents of this amazing young man, there are no words, I understand the heartache you feel. I have also lost my son. He was 27. ❤️God Bless all of you.

I’m so sorry for your loss. He seemed like a shining light. It’s so unfair. Young life lost that shouldn’t be happening in our country.

I'm sorry for your loss. Keep on helping others with your story and maybe those who aren't affected with addiction or any other real problem can understand it can happen to anyone. 🎆

Man this choked me up.

Thank you for Telling your story! It takes courage and the fight inside your soul is never going to let him die!!! Strength I pray for all that. ..find a quirk in the motivation that it takes to STAY STRONG 💪 🙏

Thank you for doing these. I for one appreciate it very much, I would hope this takes off and grows to where hundreds of thousands of people see these!

I'm so sorry you had to go thru this hell. I am afraid that I'm going to find my son like this. It sucks and I can't even imagine what you have gone thru. You are a strong woman and I believe you will make it thru all this hell.

Great series, your former junkie subscriber here.... .... my heart breaks‼️I'll suggest again, get this series into the parent teacher conference nights is my best thought. Not only was Cam a great guy from those wonderful videos but (too) trusting, believing what was in those pills was what he was told when asked. Drug purity an issue in my day as we did dust. WTF is it? Ketamine? PCP? Cut with?????? Very dangerous game. Miss smarty here had a PDR (physician's desk reference, OED sized book with every FDA approved drug, it's generic and pix of all strengths offered-like that's gonna save me🤦🏼‍♀️). We are too smart sometimes. Deep blessings, so heartbreaking 💔 😔

What a sad story. Seemed to have such a promising future, but those drugs are a monster. RIP

I have lost 4 loved ones to this poison. Daughter in laws and a niece. All with young children 6months old 1yr old and up. I am a hippie from the 60's and I did a lot but I never thought I would be seeing what is happening today. We atr losing a whole generation of loved ones. God pleas help us. God help the addicts.

Thank you for telling your story

Wow..☹ I'm so sorry you were treated that way. So sorry for your loss. 🙏

So sorry for your loss is the love of your life and thank you for telling Cameron’s story and the awareness you making for others❤

Thank you so much! I wish you the best life 🖤

This is a great series.. it can stop so many of these situations

I’m so sorry for your loss and the treatment of professionals that you received

A most beautiful tribute.

❤THANKS FOR SHARING. 🙏 Cameron IS ALIVE IN SPRIT.

Lost my 36 year old daughter March 20 2020 from fentanyl poisoning. I didn't know her problems were this bad. Don't believe you can fix this mom . I couldn't I tried she left behind 3 children . She was very secretive. I am beaten to the ground

I'm so sorry for your loss. I will pray for him.

Thank you for sharing. The unnecessary stress and disregard the professionals showed you is unacceptable.

So sorry for the way you were treated and your loss.

I lost my dad to Fentanyl in September. He was gone for three days before we found him. I will never get it out of my head.

Thank you for sharing your story!! So sorry for your loss.

Thank you for sharing your story. Some people in the comments section are fortunate to have never had a loved one battling addiction. They don't understand anything about it. I found my brother OD'd on 4 different occasions. Called EMS 4 times and they were understandably pretty cold after so many calls. Lost my bro 12/20. :(

I am so sorry for your loss. As a former 911 dispatcher I don’t believe there was any protocol that required me to ask a person who called in a reported “death” if they were refusing to perform a certain act. I had been EMD certified since 1995. If a person said that they felt that the person was beyond help, that was documented in the notes. Not only am I sorry for your loss, but for the way that you were treated throughout your entire ordeal. I don’t know if you will ever truly heal, but the days may get better as time goes by. I wish you peace going forward in life…

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm an ex addict. I've been clean for many years. I also did hard drugs. It's NOT an easy thing to get off of. Took me years. I still go to therapy. May God comfort your heart.

So sorry for your loss

Thank you for sharing your story. I know it was very hard for you. I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. Rest in peace Cameron 🙏

What is most tragic is the people that are left behind. This young lady and all those people who love addicts, stop being so hard on yourselves. You can't control anyone's behavior. Be at peace please, all you could do is love them and you did that.

I dont think this brave woman will ever get married. Cameron (rip) was literally part of her spirit.

So sorry for your loss, I hope you find peace. Cameron did look like an amazing person, take care.

thank you for sharing your story, and i hope you can fully heal someday. i'm happy that you are able to say that he was your soulmate, and that you were such good friends. so many people will never have that

This was so gut-wrenching

This hurt so bad to watch. I feel it. Sweet lady, I really hope nothing but good happens to you from now on.

having learned the hard way......the one thing i know for sure is.....no matter how much "we" love, no matter how much "we" care.....trying this, trying that, in the end..... "we" can't save "them" from themselves.

I don't understand how the cops didn't go to the drug dealer's house even if it is "low level." In Wisconsin they will charge you with reckless homicide if you supply drugs to someone and they overdose and die -- and then they would've tossed a few possession with intent to deliver charges on top of it. They do it all the time here. With all the evidence on the phone, it would have been open and shut. I'm so sorry for your loss - the person who supplied him should be held accountable, regardless of how large their drug operation is.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I use to believe that while living on this planet we have one soul mate. Many can be a soul mate and that depends on when/if your ready to find one again. If I can find more than one then so can you. God bless and keep marching forward sister. The man you lost would want you to keep striving forward to live your best life here and fulfill you purpose.

Sorry for your loss. Keep going to counseling.