Sunday afternoon, she found her 16-year-old son on his bedroom floor in their California home. He was a good student, applied for college, and was preparing for a summer internship. He was loved by friends in Chicago and his city in California.
It could not be revived by paramedics.
“He was always researching and exploring things and was incredibly sweet and kind, and full of dreams,” she said.
Berman said she had been told he appeared to have died of a fentanyl overdose. She believes the drugs were purchased through a dealer on Snapchat.
Berman said her son’s boyfriend shares that Sammy met someone on the social media app to buy medications he thought were prescription drugs. The Santa Monica police are investigating and would only say that a preliminary investigation has led them to suspect the use of prescription drugs.
“I wanted people to know that those ‘harmless experimental things’ that you might be doing are probably because they seem to be everywhere, laced with fentanyl, what they’re doing to get you hooked,” said Dr. Berman.
FULL INTERVIEW: Dr. Berman about the loss of her son, what parents need to know
The Drug Enforcement Administration said they are actively investigating drug trafficking in a variety of ways, including online through social media, websites and the dark web, saying that “many illegal substances on the market online contain deadly fentanyl.”
Berman said her previous concerns about Snapchat focused on inappropriate photos, not drug use. She said that while their children may be getting older, parents should still ask for their passwords and monitor their online and social media activities for safety.
While Berman and her family mourn and wait for test results, she wanted to warn other families.
“I want parents to know that they need to talk to your kids, that things they are going to get from a drug dealer are not safe and could kill them very well,” she said. “And if I can help a child not die, it helps my heart.”
Berman said she and her family are grateful for the support of their friends, family and communities, as well as other grieving parents who have reached out to her.
She has started a Facebook page for her and families who have lost a child due to a drug overdose.
Full statement from Snapchat
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Samuel Berman Chapman and we are heartbroken by his passing.
“We are committed to cooperating with law enforcement officials in this instance and in all cases where Snapchat is used for illegal purposes. We do not tolerate any tolerance for using Snapchat to buy or sell illegal drugs. Using Snapchat for illegal drugs purposes violates our Community Guidelines. and we enforce these violations. We are constantly improving our technological capabilities to detect drug-related activity so that we can take proactive action. If you witness illegal behavior on Snapchat, use our in-app tools to report this quickly and confidentially, so we can take action.
“We have no higher priority than keeping Snapchat a safe environment and we will continue to invest in protecting our community.”
Full statement from the DEA
The Drug Enforcement Administration is actively investigating various methods of drug trafficking, including online through websites, social media platforms and the dark net. DEA Chicago uses cyber investigations to disrupt and dismantle drug networks that exploit the Internet to distribute illegal drugs including fraudulent and counterfeit prescription drugs – for both adults and children Many illegal substances marketed online contain deadly fentanyl – which is 50 times stronger than heroin and potentially lethal at doses of 2.5 milligrams.
DEA encourages parents and caregivers to talk to their children about the dangers of drug abuse and the misuse of prescription drugs, emphasizing the immediate potential of death from overdose.
Tips about websites or individuals selling drugs through social media can be shared anonymously at dea.gov/submit-tip. ”
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