Race to warn the public about the dangers of fentanyl — that’s the message behind a new drug awareness campaign about to launch in Placer County. At a car show in Auburn on Saturday, the owner of Custom FN Customs showed off a special automobile. “How are we going to get that message out so that people understand it and have an impact,” Rick Wallen said. Wallen and brothers Garret and Brendan Therriault, who lost their father to a fentanyl overdose, don’t want more people to go down the same path they did. I think we can be effective,” he said. The trio of former addicts is customizing a Cadillac CTVS race car that’s more than just a vehicle. It’s a vehicle with a message to stop the illegal use of fentanyl. “Al at the end of the day, we just want to raise awareness for these kids,” Brenda Therriault said. “We can’t bring anyone back from the dead, but maybe you can change your mind before you pick up that pill.” They’ve plastered the car with pictures of pills from colors and the message: “A pill can kill,” the Placer County anti-drug organization. But inside the car, the passenger seat is purple. Wallen said no one will ever sit in it. It’s reserved for the memory of a person lost to fentanyl poisoning. “It’s a direct impact to show a name and a face and a message to be able to have a memory for the parents of the family that’s been lost,” Wallen said. “It’s much more than a message on the side of the car.” The teenagers in attendance were hearing the message. “It’s very important. We all know people who have overdosed, kids at my school,” said Atlas Nowicki. “I’m glad to see people talking about it, very glad to see it.” Brent Nichols said it makes sense for them to target younger people who enjoy car shows. “They’re on a level that’s with us. They’re coming at it from their side and it’s on our level,” Nichols said. “It’s appreciated, you really get it.” The engine’s loud roar may get attention first, but the men hope the message will curb deaths caused by illicit fentanyl use. Wallen said they plan to be in Times Square. in New York City in August, showcasing it with a drift show, which means to slide. They plan to take it across the country to other communities to spread its message.
Race to warn the public about the dangers of fentanyl — that’s the message behind a new drug awareness campaign about to launch in Placer County.
At a car show in Auburn on Saturday, the owner of Custom FN Customs showed off a special automobile.
“How are we going to get that message out so that people understand it and have an impact,” Rick Wallen said.
Wallen and brothers Garret and Brendan Therriault, who lost their father to a fentanyl overdose, don’t want more people to go down the same path they did.
“Being a recovering addict, I want to be able to stand behind something that I think we can be effective at,” he said.
The trio of former junkies are customizing a Cadillac CTVS race car that’s more than just a vehicle. It is a vehicle with a message to stop the illegal use of fentanyl.
“At the end of the day we just want to bring awareness to these kids,” Brenda Therriault said. “We can’t bring anyone back from the dead, but maybe you can change your mind before you pick up that pill.”
The Placer County Anti-Drug Organization has plastered the car with pictures of colorful pills and the message “A pill can kill.”
But inside the car, the passenger seat is purple. Wallen said no one will ever sit on it. It is reserved in memory of a person lost to fentanyl poisoning.
“It’s a direct impact to show a name and a face and a message to be able to have a memory for the fathers of the family that have been lost,” Wallen said. “It’s much more than a message on the side of the car.”
The teenagers in attendance heard the message.
“It’s very important. We all know people who have overdosed, kids at my school,” said Atlas Nowicki. “I’m glad to see that people are talking about it, very glad to see.”
Brent Nichols said it makes sense for them to target younger people who enjoy car shows.
“They’re on a level that’s with us. They’re coming at it from their side and it’s on our level,” Nichols said. “It’s appreciated, you really get it.”
The engine’s loud roar may get attention first, but the men hope the message will curb deaths caused by illicit fentanyl use.
Wallen said they plan to be in Times Square in New York City in August, showing off with a drift show, which means sliding.
They plan to take it around the country to other communities to spread their message.
