Organs of Drug Overdose Victims Fuel 10-Year Rise in Donations

Published on August 18, 2024

When Dylan Plakstis died of illicit fentanyl poisoning in December 2020, his mother Tammy Plakstis decided to donate the 29-year-old’s organs. Although Tammy Plakstis doesn’t regret granting the gift of life to another, she has begun to wonder whether fentanyl is being allowed to circulate nationally as a way to increase organ donations. “It hurts my heart to think that but the thought has come to my mind,” Tammy Plakstis told The Epoch Times. “It could be a money thing. Fentanyl poisoning is an epidemic and crisis.” Dylan Plakstis was in a New York hospital when he was declared brain dead. His mother insisted that he be tested multiple times before accepting the diagnosis and pulling the plug....