We all can help stop the fentanyl problem here

The Sept. 1 sentencing of 22-year-old Virgil Xavier Bordner, to 17 years in prison won't bring back Zach Didier. Zach died on Dec. 27, 2020 after he unknowingly took a fatal counterfeit pill containing fentanyl sold to him on Snapchat by Bordner. Zach was only 17. The honors student had his whole life ahead of him: earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, attending college at either University of California at Los Angeles or Stanford University and all the joys of adulthood. No one ever imagined that Zach would fall victim to fentanyl poisoning: not his parents, brother, teachers or scores of friends. So while Bordner receiving a maximum sentence of 17 years was hoped for by those wanting Zach's killer to be punished, the Sept. 1 sentencing still left a huge void that will never be filled. That's because Zach and the 82 other Placer County residents who were killed by fake pills laced with fentanyl since 2019 are gone forever. The poisonous pills have caused an epidemic nationally as well as in our county. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal. The Sept. 1 sentencing is a reminder that Placer County residents must be made aware that the fake pills are easily accessible to our unsuspecting youth and neighbors. The sentencing also shows that we're getting serious about telling drug dealers we won't tolerate their actions. It's time we all work together to stop the drug dealers from selling the fake pills. We can do that by checking out the One Pill can Kill campaign that asks us to: * Never take medicine that wasn't prescribed by your doctor and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist * Talk to your family and friends about the dangers of drugs online * Spread the word that One Pill Can Kill. Several agencies in the county formed the 1PillCanKillPlacer campaign in April to mitigate the drug overdoses. Agencies include the Placer County District Attorney's Office, Placer County Sheriff's Office, Placer County Health and Human Services, Placer County Office of Education, Placer County Probation, Placer Community Foundation, Granite Wellness Centers, Raising Placer and Placer-Nevada Rx Drug Safety Coalition. Don't think your help matters? Listen to the One Pill Can Kill podcasts presented by the Placer County Health and Human Services Department, Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office at 1pillcankillplacer.com/podcast. You'll see how stopping this epidemic once and for all depends on all our efforts "This office remains committed to holding dealers of this deadly drug accountable," said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire after Bordner's sentencing. "Through aggressive prosecution, county-wide investigations, support from our local officials, partnership with our schools and our 1 Pill Can Kill Placer campaign – the participation and collaboration at every level to fight this epidemic will save lives. We will continue to seek justice for Zach and the Didier family and all families affected by this fentanyl crisis at every level." It's excruciating for Zach's parents, Chris and Laura Didier to recount the tragic story of Zach's death to thousands of residents at almost 100 awareness events the last two years. Those events include at schools, parent information nights, community organizations such as Zach's Scout troop and podcasts. The parents have talked to at least 24 schools so far, with more presentations this fall. Chris and Laura Didier also had to sit in the courtroom on July 12 to hear Bordner plead to all charges regarding the fentanyl death of their precious son and again at the sentencing Sept. 1. The Didiers have no choice but to subject themselves to the pain of talking every week to whoever will listen about Zach's death. Because they don't want another family to lose a loved one. For more information on helping to stop overdoses in our community, please go online immediately to 1pillcankillplacer.com. That means everyone, whether we're 10 or 90, and all neighborhoods. Our youths' lives are at stake. We must all stand up and say that the drug dealers are no longer getting away with their deadly crimes. In doing so, we're also honoring Zach and the 82 others who are no longer here because they were unknowingly given fentanyl-laced pills.