Dallan Machata of Smithers was full of energy and life until an apparent fentanyl overdose took the 22-year-old’s life last month according to his mother Joanne Machata.
“Right away when I found out it was a pill I notified the RCMP and said, hey, look – this is in our town,” says Joanne. “You never think that it’s going to happen to you or your family…you just never expect it…and now its just torn my whole world apart.”
She says Dallan overdosed on the 14th in Smithers and was later transferred to Prince George where he succumbed to serious brain injuries on the 18th.
“My daughter and his friend came crashing into the house crying, telling me Dallan has overdosed. He was at the hospital…it was horrendous; no one ever wants to see their child like that.”
Joanne says they’re still trying to find out how he acquired the fentanyl. She indicates he had cocaine and MDMA in his system along with the fentanyl that was likely an 80 milligram ‘little green pill.’
“It’s not right, not right at all, and it’s not fair. People need to be aware. The people that are selling, they need to be punished,” says Joanne, reminding people, and especially young people, that getting involved with fentanyl is “not worth it.”
“Nothing can be cut safely…it just takes that little bit…and that’s it, your fun’s done for ever.”
The Smithers RCMP have issued a public warning about fetanyl’s presence in the community, and are reminding people to stay vigilant.
The BC coroners service reported 555 fatal deaths related to fentanyl this year, up from 508 for the whole of 2015.
Joanne says a Go Fund Me page was set up to deal with funeral costs and a celebration of Dallan Machata’s life at the old Church in town.
“I can’t believe the generosity, this is why I love Smithers, everyone always comes out to help.”