Sisterhood Spotlight

On Fentanyl Awareness Day, we raise awareness about the horrors of fentanyl poisoning. Can you share about your ongoing efforts to speak out about fentanyl?

In April 2022, my sister and I started a 501(c)3 non-profit, Makayla Cherie Foundation, Inc., in hopes of bringing awareness and education to the community on the dangers of opioids, including but not limited to fentanyl. I also started a petition online to change the age for minor medical rights, specifically minors’ ability to refuse treatment for mental health and substance abuse, which currently starts at age 14. I worked with Delegate Anne Tata on these efforts, and she presented this to the 2022 General Assembly. The bill was voted to be sent to two review boards to be further looked into, and I continue to work with her on getting this changed. Additionally, I’ve partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a school board member, a licensed substance abuse and mental health therapist and a recovering addict to provide opioid and fentanyl education presentations at schools. We’re hoping to increase the number of schools that we’re able to present to in the next year.

Through the Makayla Cherie Foundation, in early 2023 about 10 billboards ran the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign, featuring loved ones lost to fentanyl poisoning throughout Hampton Roads for about 12 weeks. Additionally through the foundation, we have secured a vendor table at the Water Lantern Festival, held at Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach on August 5^th, where we will have fentanyl awareness banners displayed, informational handouts, Narcan and many other items to educate the community. My ultimate vision for the foundation is to be able to open a substance use rehabilitation center that works with teens. Finding a place where teens can get help is extremely difficult and needed.

I have additional plans throughout 2023 to work with mothers, families, nonprofits and elected leaders to continue to build awareness and discuss what needs to be done to address this terrible epidemic.

Can you tell us about your family and Makayla?

At the age of three, Makayla started gymnastics, which she continued to do throughout her life, mixing in cheerleading, volleyball and work. She never wanted anyone to be sad or upset and would always try to make them feel better. Makayla made friends with anyone and everyone she came across. She had a huge heart and was outgoing, energetic, silly and smart – as well as outspoken, argumentative and stubborn. All these qualities are what made Makayla the great person she was.

Makayla also had a love for animals. When she was younger, she used to get so upset that the dogs or cats wouldn’t stay in her room and sleep with her.  She wanted another dog, so that she could train it to stay her in room with her. And she did just that with her two husky puppies – even if it meant she chased them around the house until she could grab them and carry them up to her room. She was also insistent on having a hamster.

Makayla had huge dreams. When she was little, she wanted to be an Olympic Gold Medalist.  She wanted me to pull her out of school and homeschool her, so she had more time to practice in the gym. As she got older, she decided she wanted to be in the legal field. She told me she wanted to do what I do. But I told her to do better than me. With me having a bachelor of science in criminal justice, the topic of crimes, drugs and the dangers in the world were not unspoken in my house. I imagine because of this, she wanted to go to UVA and become a lawyer.

Can you share about what happened in January 2022?

During the summer of 2021, Makayla got her first job, at age 15, and that was the beginning of the end. She met someone she completely and utterly trusted, as most teenagers do. And as with most teenagers, thought she was invincible. She was introduced to Percocet or Xanax, and at some point between August and December of that year, decided to try it.

I discovered text messages on Makayla’s phone, and Makayla confessed to having tried the pills a couple times, but that was it. Knowing that these drugs are highly addictive, and more times than not laced, and that no teenager is going to fully admit how much or often they have done drugs, I immediately wanted to get her into some type of program.

In Virginia, and probably most states, minors have medical legal rights at age 14. This means that a parent or guardian cannot force their child or minor, whom they are legally caring for, to attend any type of treatment program, counseling, etc. And because teenagers think they are invincible, they are not going to agree to go to any program.

Our relationship became rockier, and I had to try to rebuild our relationship, while continuing to monitor and protect her.

In January 2022, things were getting much better. Makayla had passed a drug test in December and showed no signs of any use. On January 20, she saw the trusted friend, which out of compromise I allowed. The visit lasted maybe an hour. On January 21, school closed for a snowstorm. We ate dinner and watched a movie that night. It was early, and she kept dozing off and couldn’t seem to stay awake. I decided I would go get a drug test from the store as soon as it opened the next day at 6 a.m. When I came back, I went to Makayla’s room to wake her up so that I could test her. That’s when my life changed forever.

Makayla’s toxicology report shows that she had 0.026 mg per liters of fentanyl in her system.  NO OTHER DRUGS WERE FOUND. My barely 16-year-old daughter, who lost her life, was poisoned by fentanyl.

The mission now is to make adults and children aware of the dangers of drugs, but specifically making them aware, educating them and hopefully preventing them from ingesting drugs, and drugs laced with fentanyl. It only takes one time.

What can parents watch for to identify risks associated with fentanyl poisoning?

The biggest thing parents can do is talk with their children about fentanyl, and other drugs, and the dangers and risks that revolve around them. I had no idea about fentanyl prior to Makayla’s death. I knew opioids were highly addictive, and so my concern was focused on trying to make sure that she hadn’t and didn’t become addicted. I didn’t even know people were making these pills; I knew people would illegally sell legitimate prescription pills, but not that people were making them at home, in garages, etc.

Also, be highly aware of what your children are doing on social media platforms and whom they are in contact with. I monitored Makayla’s activity, but I didn’t read her messages on a regular basis because I had no reason to. She was always a good kid and made good choices. Her friends were always at the house and made good choices. Even the one friend who introduced her to this came over a lot and was respectful, but apparently had drug issues, which I never saw any signs of.

Above all, never say, “Not my child, not my family.” This affects everyone, in one way or another – whether directly due to use and/or addiction, experimentation or by association of knowing someone else who is affected.

Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for a list of overdose signs.

How are you healing, and do you have any resources to share with Virginia’s Women+girls (W+g)?

I don’t know if healing is how I would describe it. While I know in my head that my daughter is gone, my heart doesn’t accept it. I still look in her room every day when I wake up and every night before I go to bed. But I can’t be in her room. Some days are fine, and other days are more difficult. I just stay as busy as I can with work, the house, the dogs and the foundation.

As for resources, there are several on the foundation website, www.makaylacheriefoundation.com. There are tons of groups on Facebook and Instagram, including the foundation, specific to fentanyl, substance abuse, awareness and mental health that are a wealth of knowledge and help. Connecting with others that have also experienced this has been extremely helpful, and I have forged new friendships with many. Even if you haven’t or are not currently experiencing drug related issues within your family, knowledge is power, and getting to know those who have experienced it will help you be more informed. Don’t be afraid to speak out, if someone you know is having an issue. If just one of Makayla’s friends had spoken out, I would have been aware sooner, and that might have allowed me the additional time to get her help.

View the First Lady’s Resources page for additional information.

About Shannon Doyle

Shannon Doyle was raised in Virginia Beach, VA and graduated from Ocean Lakes High School, where her daughter, Makayla, also attended. Shannon is a lover of all animals, especially huskies, and a fighter for fentanyl awareness and change. She seeks to honor Makayla in any way she can along the way. She is a proud and dedicated mom and aunt to her nephews, as well as her adopted nieces, nephews and children through Makayla’s longtime friends that have become family.