WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Earlier this year, a West Sacramento father had to do the unspeakable and bury his best friend – his son.  The thought of having to bury your child is a horrific one. Those who have lived through it know that it is even worse than one can imagine. Now imagine that what took your child’s life could be reversed, but you didn’t know that it could be turned back.

Mason Brazil was only 22 years old when he unexpectedly overdosed on fentanyl. Mason was like any other young man, full of hope and dreams and looking towards the future. Mason grew up with his dad coaching his Little League teams and cheering him on whatever he did.

As Mason got older, he and his dad began MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) style training to relieve stress and stay in shape. Nearly every day, the two would work out together.  Mason even fought in a few armature fights. His love of music was strong as well, and one of his goals was becoming a rap star. He even has several of his songs on YouTube.

Mason accidentally overdosed on fentanyl on the morning of June 17 at a friend’s house. Nobody had NARCAN. The coroner left the friend’s residence at about 10:30 am with Mason’s body. At approximately 3:30 in the afternoon, Mason’s dad began to wonder where his son was. It was not like him to not show up for their workout, and even less like him to not call and let him know he was running late.

Rick Brazil, Mason’s dad, was just about to set off looking for his son when his phone rang. It was his niece. She was calling to tell Rick how sorry she was about Mason, but instead had to tell him that his son had died that morning. Rick was in disbelief. He was sure it was a mistake. She assured him that it wasn’t. Rick still doesn’t understand why there was no notification given by law enforcement or the coroner.

Rick Brazil is still hurting, and always will be, but he doesn’t want any other parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers and friends to have to go through this, like he is. Using his knowledge and connections from the MMA training, he organized the first Fentanyl Awareness Event in West Sacramento called ‘Fighting Fentanyl.’ The event will be held at Muscle Systems Gym, located at 922 Sacramento Avenue on January 7, 2023, from 10 am to 2:00 pm.

All day long the gym will be open to the public for free MMA training and demonstrations. Professional MMA fighter Angel VanWellis, or BAM, will be onsite teaching techniques. Semi-professionals Louis Moreno and CAMEO Wayne Darr will also be there, in addition to other fighters who have not yet been named.

Police Chief Rob Strange will speak on the impact of Fentanyl in West Sacramento and West Sacramento Community Prosecutor, Preston Schaub, will speak about its impact on Yolo County. Refreshments will be donated by Low Cost Liquor and Habitat for Humanity. Information will be available about fentanyl, along with info on how to obtain free NARCAN and Fentanyl Test Strips. Remember, sometimes it takes more than one dose of NARCAN, so grab a few.

It’s important that the community attends this. Nobody thinks it will happen to them, but all it takes is one wrong pill and it could be you burying someone you love. Wouldn’t you rather have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it? Remember… some decisions are permanent!