'Funk Fentanyl Forum' In Tulsa Raises Awareness About Deadly Drugs

Tulsa artists and activists are teaming up with community leaders to fight the drug crisis plaguing our community.

Several groups provided resources at the 'Funk Fentanyl Forum' including drug counselors, rehab facilities, first responders, law enforcement officers, and Tulsa County's DA.

Local artists performed heartfelt pieces and families shared tearful testimonies.

One of the artists at the program said these so-called 'painkillers' are killing our kids.

The organizer of the forum said fentanyl is just about everywhere and hiding in just about everything on the streets, so please keep an eye on your kids.

Enough is enough.

"We know now that Fentanyl is invading our country. And we know now that it is more fatal than the covid that hit us," said DA Steve Kunzweiler, Tulsa County.

Kunzweiler is calling on schools and elected officials, and telling them to wake up because every day there are kids who don't from an overdose.

"Quite frankly as the District Attorney, I am angry, I am mad, I am frustrated due to a lot of the inaction of the people we should be trusting. There's no reason why we should have the volume of methamphetamine we have in our communities. There is no reason why we should have the volume of heroin in our communities. There is no reason we should have the volume of fentanyl other than people don't care. And the people who are in charge, in charge of the southern border are doing nothing about it. Zero," said DA Steve Kunzweiler, Tulsa County.

Family after family stood up on stage and shared their story of grief.

"Exactly one year ago today, my son died. He was given half of a pill. That killed my son, and my son was 280 pounds," said a mother.

Dorian Hill is using his platform as an artist to be an activist.

The idea for the Funk Fentanyl Forum came after his bandmates' 15-year-old son died of a drug overdose.

Dorian said Jaydin had a beautiful smile, was sharp and witty and God gave him the gift of music.

"How many kids (do) you see at 14, 13, 12 years old, recording their own music? Writing their own songs. Producing their own tracks," said Dorian Hill, Artist & Activist. "We was all just ready to see where it would take him and unfortunately fentanyl stopped that."

He said social media apps like Snapchat are breeding grounds for drug deals.

"Sometimes as grown people, we have to be all in our kids' business at the cost of saving their life, I think it's worth it," said Dorian Hill, Artist & Activist.

Kunzweiler said it's time to hold officials' feet to the fire.

"You need a month? Just tell me how much time you need to address this crisis and I'm gonna write that down because I'm gonna check on you in that two weeks or month. I'm gonna be following up to make sure you're doing your dang job. That's what it's gonna take folks," said DA Steve Kunzweiler, Tulsa County.

At midnight, there's a donation-only benefit show at Ella Mae's by McClain High School, featuring many Oklahoma artists.