FENTANYL KILLS - Mathew Dzikoski's Story - episode 232

Video Description

Mother Crystal Hoozer of Rockledge, Florida, and grandmother, Leavonies Fontaine of West Melbourne, Florida, share this painful story of their 20-year-old loved one, Mathew Dzikoski, who died from fentanyl poisoning after unknowingly taking a counterfeit pill laced with the deadly drug. Mathew believed he was taking Xanax, but the pill contained fentanyl, and Crystal discovered his body days later—on Father's Day. Mathew was a kind-hearted young man who loved fishing, was active in church youth groups, and had survived three open-heart surgeries due to a congenital heart condition. Despite his medical battles and emotional struggles—especially after his final surgery at age 18—Mathew was a fighter. He began experimenting with substances during his teen years, partly to cope with pain and partly while trying to help his brother who was battling addiction. In the weeks before his death, Mathew had moved to Florida to be with family and try to help his brother, but he was introduced to meth and began using pills to ease his emotional burden. Crystal’s heartbreak deepened as she struggled to get justice: despite clear evidence of drug exchanges through text messages and video footage, law enforcement failed to act. It wasn’t until she shared Mathew’s story at a fentanyl summit that someone from the DEA took notice and investigated—ultimately confirming the case was mishandled and would go unprosecuted. Crystal now speaks out, urging families not to give up, and demanding that police treat victims of fentanyl poisoning with the urgency and dignity they deserve. Illicit fentanyl is a dangerous, life-threatening drug frequently found in other illicit drugs and results in the death of 200 people per day in the US. This is just one of those stories and delivers an urgent warning to avoid all illicit drugs. To use this or any other Texas Pictures documentary at high schools or in other educational applications, contact Texas Pictures through our website at www.texas-pictures.com. If you have a story you'd like to share, learn more about the process and reach out to us at our website - https://www.texas-pictures.com/Share.html Naloxone, the active ingredient in 4mg Narcan and higher dose 8mg Kloxxado, along with many generic versions, can reverse an opioid overdose if administered quickly enough. Some areas have Naloxone available for free. Google it. In the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to connect with a caring counselor.