Ryder, of Webster City, is an advocate for overdose awareness. She knows all too well the feeling of grief as her son, Dalton, was just 19 when he died from an accidental overdose in 2016. He had run out of a prescription of hydrocodone for an injury when he reached out to someone he knew to buy a pill to ease the pain. Unbeknownst to him, that one pill was laced with fentanyl and killed him.

“If it could happen to us, it could happen to anyone,” said Ryder. “Dalton was the All-American kid. He played baseball, football, wrestling, rodeo. He was a good kid.”

Now instead of sitting in her own grief, she is on her feet creating networks to connect others with resources, training, and fellowship.

“It’s not a matter of if it will affect you, it’s a matter of when,” said Ryder. “Everyone knows someone who is affected, you just might not know that they are. One of our most powerful speakers was once in my 3-year-old preschool classroom. I never would have guessed what was going on and how it shaped her. I didn’t know. But we all know someone.”

Ryder along with the North Central Iowa Opioid Task Force will host an event from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the City Square to raise awareness about drug overdoses and to create a safer and healthier community.

“We will have tables from different agencies,” said Ryder. “We have guest speakers including myself and another mom. We have several speakers who are in recovery. Community and Family Resources will explain the process to get help. Mental health information will be available. My 9-year-old grandson will speak about how he has been affected. We have Narcan training. It will be a powerful night, and I encourage everyone to attend.”

According to Ryder, Narcan training is important, not just for those who know someone with addiction, but for anyone who knows someone or who personally takes any prescription.

“It’s not just about addiction,” said Ryder. “What if grandma just had surgery and she didn’t remember if she’d taken her prescription so she took a second one. She could overdose. Narcan could save her life. I feel very strongly that Narcan should be given with every prescription. We need to get rid of the stigma. It could be anyone who takes just one pill. You just never know.”

The city of Fort Dodge and the Webster County Board of Supervisors agree that awareness and understanding of overdoses and opioid use is important. Both the city and county recently issued declarations celebrating Aug. 31 as National Overdose Awareness Day.

If You Go

What: Overdose awareness event

When: 4:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Fort Dodge City Square