Episode #5
The Fentanyl Conversation Every Parent Needs to Have
Send us Fan Mail Matt Riviere never imagined that one decision would take both of his sons, Andrew and Stephen. At 21 and 19, the brothers purchased what they believed was oxycodone through Snapchat. The pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl, and both young men died. Matt joins Mandy to share their story and help parents understand how quickly counterfeit pills, social media, and experimentation can become deadly. Matt also shares what he wishes he had known about fentanyl, the progression he saw from vaping and other substances to greater experimentation, and why parents cannot assume their kids understand the risks of pills purchased outside a legitimate pharmacy. His message is urgent: educate yourself, talk about fentanyl before your child encounters it, and make sure they know that a pill that looks legitimate may not be what it appears to be. Through unimaginable loss, Matt has turned his pain into advocacy, working alongside other parents to push for greater accountability and protections for kids. His encouragement to parents reflects the heart of nextTalk: rules and technology controls matter, but they cannot replace open communication. Create a relationship where your kids can tell you about their mistakes, questions, and struggles—even when the conversation is uncomfortable. Guest Bio: Matt Riviere is a Colorado father and advocate who lost his two sons, Andrew and Stephen, after they unknowingly took counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Since their deaths, Matt has dedicated himself to educating parents and students about the dangers of fentanyl, counterfeit prescription drugs, substance experimentation, and drug activity facilitated through social media. Matt has worked with other families on fentanyl-related legislation in Colorado and advocates for greater social media accountability and online protections for children, including work connected to the Kids Online Safety Act. By courageously sharing his family's story, Matt hopes other parents will have conversations he wishes he had known to have with his own sons. Resources: Fentanyl (Special Guest: Tall Cop) - nextTalk: https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/fentanyl-special-guest-tall-cop/ Tall Cop: The Normalization of Alcohol & Marijuana - nextTalk: https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/tall-cop-the-normalization-of-alcohol-marijuana/ Tall Cop: Vaping and Drug Culture - nextTalk: https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/tall-cop-vaping-and-drug-culture/ Phone-Free Schools: Mom on a Mission - nextTalk : https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/phone-free-schools-mom-on-a-mission/ Legislative Work to Keep Kids Safe Online - nextTalk: https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/legislative-work-to-keep-kids-safe-online/ Parents Were Right About Social Media - nextTalk: https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/parents-were-right-about-social-media/ Guardrails to Protect Kids Online - nextTalk : https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/guardrails-to-protect-kids-online/ 16 Year Old’s Suicide from Sextortion. How do we protect our kids? - nextTalk : https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/16-year-olds-suicide-from-sextortion-how-do-we-protect-our-kids/ Brian Montgomery on Walker’s Sextortion Case: Justice, Anger, and Surrender - nextTalk Colorado’s 72-hour social media warrant law takes effect Aug. 12 - Denver Gazette DEA “One Pill Can Kill” Campaign: https://www.dea.gov/onepill Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA): https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1748/text Colorado Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention Act: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1326 Connect with The nextTalk Parent Podcast: Website: https://nextTalk.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextTalkorg/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nextTalkorg Support the show KEEPING KIDS SAFE ONLINE Connect with us... www.nextTalk.org Facebook Instagram Contact Us... admin@nextTalk.org P.O. BOX 160111 San Antonio, TX 78280
