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At 34 years old, Melissa Wilson was known for her authenticity, contagious laugh and dream of one day opening her own business and living by the ocean.
“She had a huge heart and beautiful soul,” said her mother, Carol Wilson. “She was always learning, exploring, traveling and loved her family.”
Carol recalls that awful day in late 2023 when her life changed forever.
Melissa had spent the day training for a new job and later that night left to deliver food as part of a second job. She returned home the following morning not feeling well and later went to urgent care.
When Melissa returned home, she went to rest in her room.
After some time, Carol went to check in on her. After knocking on the door and receiving no response, she knew something was wrong.
Carol called 9-1-1 and administered Narcan while waiting for first responders, but Melissa could not be saved. Melissa’s death was later attributed to fentanyl, a drug her family knew little about until her death changed everything.
“Our family was broken and shattered after losing Melissa,” said Carol. “I began speaking to honor Melissa.”
Since losing her daughter, Carol has shared Melissa’s story with hundreds across Sacramento County at community panels, television interviews and the County-hosted annual “Fentanyl and Beyond” Summit.
The summit brings together healthcare professionals, public health leaders, law enforcement and community organizations to provide awareness, share prevention tools like free Narcan and fentanyl strips, and connect families and individuals with support and recovery resources.
For Carol, speaking publicly is about more than sharing tragedy. It is about honoring Melissa’s life and helping other families avoid the same heartbreak.
“Please don’t think this can’t happen to your family,” she said. “It’s affecting all walks of life.”
Through events like the summit, Sacramento County, community partners and families impacted by substance use work together to connect residents with education, support and life-saving resources. This year, nearly 400 people came together to learn about prevention, recovery and ongoing efforts aimed at reducing fentanyl deaths in Sacramento County.
“What gives me hope is knowing Melissa is looking down on me honoring her life and trying to save lives,” Carol said. “I hope she would be proud.”
If you or someone you know needs help with substance-use treatment, support is available. Call 916-875-1055 or visit Sacramento County’s Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services (SUPT) website for treatment information, Narcan and fentanyl test strips.
To learn more about fentanyl awareness and available community resources visit Sacramento County’s Safer Sacramento website.