I recently had the honor of interviewing Mike Land, a father who lost his son Preston to fentanyl poisoning nearly four years ago. His story deeply touched me, not just because of the tragedy he experienced, but because of how he transformed his grief into purpose. As someone who believes our greatest pain can become our greatest mission, I was moved by Mike’s dedication to preventing other families from experiencing what his has endured.
The Silent Epidemic of Fentanyl Poisoning
When Mike and I spoke, one statement he made struck me to my core:
“They said, ‘Thank God my kid’s not a drug addict.’ And I said, ‘Then you’re who I want to talk to because it’s not the drug addicts that are dying of this fentanyl poisoning. It’s the first-time users.'”
This misconception about fentanyl poisoning is exactly what makes it so dangerous. Mike’s son Preston wasn’t struggling with addiction. Like many victims of fentanyl poisoning, he was, as Mike described, “the clean-cut all-American kid.”
The reality is that fentanyl poisoning doesn’t discriminate. It’s claiming lives at an alarming rate – approximately one person every 4.8 minutes in the United States. And contrary to what many believe, it’s not just affecting those with substance use disorders. First-time users, experimental users, and even those who believe they’re taking something entirely different are dying from just one encounter with this deadly substance.
A Father’s Healing Journey Through Purpose
After Preston’s death, Mike, like many survivors of trauma, initially struggled to cope. He candidly shared that whiskey was his “best grief counselor” for that first year. But eventually, he recognized that wasn’t helping him heal, nor was it helping him honor Preston’s memory.
Instead, Mike found healing through purpose. He created “25 Preston 7” – a mission to visit 25 national parks (representing Preston’s age when he died), ride his bike seven miles in each park, and climb to the highest accessible point to hold a memorial for Preston. The number seven represented completion for Mike – both spiritually and as the number of letters in his and Preston’s first and middle names.
What began as a personal healing journey evolved into a platform for awareness. At each park, Mike dedicated his hikes and rides to other victims of fentanyl poisoning. Through sharing his story on social media, he connected with others facing similar losses, building a community of support while spreading vital awareness.
Breaking the Silence Around Male Grief and Loss
One of the most powerful aspects of Mike’s story is how he’s confronting the stigma around both substance-related deaths and male expressions of grief. He noticed that at speaking engagements, he was often the only father present.
“Where’s Preston’s father?” people would ask other mothers, to which they would reply, “He won’t talk about it. He’s taking care of business.”
This observation led Mike to create a space specifically for fathers who have lost children. He recognized that many men lack the community support to process their grief, and without it, many marriages collapse under the strain. Statistics support this reality – the divorce rate among parents who lose a child is staggeringly high.
By openly expressing his grief and creating space for other fathers to do the same, Mike is challenging harmful stereotypes that prevent healing. His vulnerability has become a powerful tool for connection and transformation.
The Complex Reality of Fentanyl Poisoning in Our Communities
Through his work with Texas Against Fentanyl, Mike has gained disturbing insights into how pervasive this threat has become. Fentanyl is no longer just found in pills – it’s appearing in marijuana, vape pens, and other substances that young people might experiment with.
Moreover, Mike has encountered institutional resistance to addressing the crisis openly. Some schools don’t want to discuss it. Communities try to downplay the numbers. Media outlets limit coverage. This silence only magnifies the danger.
What makes fentanyl poisoning particularly devastating is that it often strikes without warning. The West Point cadets who died in Florida, the college students who think they’re taking something to help them study, the teenagers at a party – they weren’t seeking out fentanyl. They became victims of what Mike rightfully calls “murder,” not overdose.
What We Can All Learn from Mike’s Journey
As I reflect on my conversation with Mike, several important lessons emerge:
- Healing is active, not passive: Mike didn’t wait for time to heal his wounds; he created a path through his pain by helping others.
- Trauma changes our perspective: “Once we’ve hit that major trauma,” Mike told me, “nothing else really bothers me… I can deal with anything.” Like many trauma survivors, Mike found a resilience he never knew he had.
- Vulnerability is strength: By sharing his raw emotions publicly, Mike has connected with thousands of people and potentially saved countless lives.
- Purpose transforms pain: By giving his grief a greater meaning, Mike honors Preston’s memory while creating something positive from unimaginable loss.
Moving Forward: How We Can Help
The fentanyl poisoning crisis requires all of us to get involved. As Mike emphasized, law enforcement can’t solve this problem alone – awareness is our most powerful tool.
If you’re a parent, have honest conversations with your children about the dangers of experimentation in today’s world. As an educator, advocate for prevention programs in your school. If you’re someone who has experienced loss, consider whether sharing your story might help others.
For those directly impacted by fentanyl poisoning, know that there are communities of support forming. Organizations like Texas Against Fentanyl connect survivors and provide resources for healing.
Finding Our Way Through Grief Together
What struck me most about Mike’s story is how parallel our healing journeys have been, despite our different traumas. We both found purpose in sharing our stories. We both discovered that helping others was integral to our own healing. And we both recognized that the only way through pain is forward – with honesty, vulnerability, and community.
That’s what healing is about – not erasing our traumas, but transforming them into something meaningful. Mike’s journey embodies this truth beautifully. He couldn’t bring Preston back, but he could ensure that Preston’s story saved others.
As Mike continues his mission to raise awareness about fentanyl poisoning, I’m inspired by his courage and commitment. His story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can find purpose and make a difference.
To learn more about Mike’s work, you can follow his journey on Facebook and connect with Texas Against Fentanyl. Together, we can prevent more families from joining what Mike calls “a club no one wants to join.”
If you’ve been affected by fentanyl poisoning or are struggling with grief, please reach out for support. Your story matters, and through sharing it, you may find not only healing for yourself but also help others on their healing journey.
If you liked this post, you may want to watch the full conversation: