For far too many, Valentine’s Day brings no celebration at all

Stop the VOID / Victims of Illicit Drugs Inc, 2025-26 Bronze Alliance Partner

By Mathew Brodman, Stop the VOID Executive Board Member

Valentine’s Day is meant to be a time when we openly express love to those we cherish. For me, that love surrounds my wife Janet, our two children, our extended family, dear friends, and the many people who have touched my life along the way. I am deeply grateful for the joy of sharing love, laughter, and even fine chocolate(S) with those closest to me.

But I also know that for far too many, Valentine’s Day brings no celebration at all.

In my work, I have surrounded myself with parents whose hearts carry an unbearable emptiness—a hole within their heart that cannot be healed – parents who have lost a child to a FENTANYL poisoning. For them, Valentine’s Day is not about cards or roses. It is another reminder of a love that has nowhere to land, another day living with a VOID that never truly heals.

As a retired law enforcement executive, I am still in the fight. This fight is righteous! The fight is to simply save lives by educating others to protect our future! My inspiration to fight harder than ever comes from my true warrior, Daniel’s dad, Jaime Puerta. And then there is Steve, Jessica’s dad, a hard-core, old school retired homicide detective; and then Chris, Zach’s dad, a highly decorated fighter pilot, and Andrea, Ashley’s mom, and so many more. You see, Jaime, Steve, Chris, Andrea and countless others wake up every day carrying an unimaginable loss. These parents cannot celebrate Valentine’s Day the way many of us can. Their love remains, but their child is gone. And that is why I continue this fight, and why I ask you to walk beside us. Hand in hand, we can save lives— and carry their legacy TOGETHER.

STOP THE VOID was created to shine a light on the deadly dangers of illicit fentanyl and emerging synthetic drugs through education, awareness, and legislative advocacy. We are a nonprofit organization working alongside private, state, and federal partners to provide knowledge, preventative tools, and meaningful change. VOID speaks for the sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, who no longer have a voice.

In 2026, VOID will focus significant efforts on college campuses and within Greek life communities to expand awareness and prevention. Our presentations have been redesigned to be engaging, impactful, and accessible—and they are offered completely free of charge. No cost. No misleading fine print. Our goal is simple: to reach as many students and faculty as possible and to protect as many lives as we can.

As you hold your loved ones this February 14th, I ask you to pause for just a moment. Hold them a little tighter. Hold them a little longer. And while the moment may not be right to talk about fentanyl, please take a second to think of Jaime, Steve, Chris, Andrea, and the countless parents carrying loss in silence. Say a quiet prayer. Send them strength.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE MUST MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT.