By: Kalese Singleton
On March 12th, 2026, Carroll County, Georgia, hosted its 4th annual Fentanyl Awareness Summit. Attendees heard from local law enforcement leaders, expert speakers, and even the family and friends of the victims of fentanyl usage. This event aimed to educate, inspire, and assemble the community against the epidemic. Hosted by the Carroll County Fentanyl Awareness Coalition and its sponsors, the team continues to spread awareness through its campaign,
“Fentanyl Stops Here.” Guests, including the Carroll County Police Department, the county’s fire department, the ACE Unit, and other resource organizations, provided assistance and aid to those interested.
Opening the summit were Beth and Gus Walterts. In 2021, their son was killed by a single fentanyl pill, here in Georgia. As they shared their heartbreaking story, they stated that fentanyl is a strong narcotic used to treat severe pain, but its properties are so strong that the tiniest extra dose can become deadly. They presented statistics of its effects, especially within the young adult population between ages 18 – 24, since its drug usage is the leading cause of death among them. “100,000 people die every year, that means someone dies every seven seconds, that means 200 people a day,” explains Gus Walters. He goes on to say, “In the years 2023 to 2024, more people died by fentanyl poisoning than soldiers in WWII.” After their son’s death, the Walters aimed to punish illegal drug sellers by creating “Austin’s Law” in memory of their son. This passed legislative bill will now create a “felony offense of aggravated involuntary manslaughter for individuals who sell, manufacture, or distribute substances containing fentanyl that result in a fatal overdose,” according to Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones.
Throughout their presentation, the couple emphasized the importance of parents educating their children on drug use and to seek help as soon as possible. Local resource agencies such as The Connector, Georgia Pathways, The Carroll County Police Department, Georgia Overdose Prevention, and many more, were there to sponsor and support the event by giving out brochures on how to access their resources, and even free medical supplies such as medication carrying cases, and Naloxone.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is an opioid antagonist medication used to immediately reverse opioid overdoses and restore breathing. With over ten resource tables in attendance, the organizations helped to distribute information and aid to over 300 attendees.
As the event continued, Therapist Brian Gibson, LPC, spoke on what he called the “Addiction Cycle.” He valued knowing the definitions of what he calls “drug terminology” and educating the crowd on the differences between substance use, substance abuse, chemical dependency, addiction versus sobriety, and countless other terms. He showcased a presentation titled, “You’ve Got to Meet Them Where They Are,” explaining how to approach not only fentanyl users, but drug users in general, on achieving sobriety. “Substance use is having a beer while watching a football game, and it’s not getting in the way of your life. Substance abuse is when it starts to interfere with your function,” said Gibson.
As the summit progressed, the atmosphere shifted from informational to deeply personal. The weight of the crisis became more apparent as each speaker reinforced the same message: fentanyl is not a distant issue, but one affecting local families and communities every day.
Throughout the event, community involvement remained a central theme. Local high school students, including members of Carrollton High School’s Youth Council, volunteered their time to support the summit. From assisting with seating to distributing materials and helping with raffle drawings, their presence highlighted the importance of youth engagement in prevention efforts.
As the summit came to a close, keynote speaker Lindsey Sizemore delivered a powerful and personal conclusion. Coming from a background of substance use, Sizemore shared her journey to recovery and the challenges she faced along the way. Now a Certified Peer Specialist of Addictive Disease, she is currently employed by the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network as an Outreach Coordinator for the RESPECT program, which supports individuals in sharing their recovery stories. Through her testimony, Sizemore emphasized the importance of understanding, compassion, and second chances. Her story served as a reminder that recovery is possible and that those struggling with addiction are not beyond help. By openly sharing her experiences, she provided hope to those in attendance and reinforced the importance of community support systems in the recovery process. The summit ultimately underscored that awareness alone is not enough. Continued education, open conversations, and active involvement are necessary to combat the ongoing fentanyl crisis. By bringing together law enforcement, healthcare professionals, educators, families, and students, Carroll County continues to take a proactive stance against the epidemic. While the issue remains ongoing, the collective effort shown at this year’s summit reflects a community committed to change, prevention, and saving lives.