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A heartbroken Colorado father, Bruce Brown, is leading a nationwide campaign to ban the sale of sodium nitrite in high concentrations after the tragic loss of his 17-year-old son, Bennett. In November 2022, Bennett purchased the chemical online for just $13. What his father initially thought was an innocent delivery turned out to be a substance that would claim his son’s life.
The New York Post reported that Bennett had been struggling with long-term physical and mental health issues, including the effects of long COVID, severe lung problems, and a concussion. These conditions left him mostly housebound, contributing to his deepening depression. Unbeknownst to his father, Bennett had turned to online forums where individuals encourage others to commit suicide, and it was there that he learned about sodium nitrite—a compound commonly used for food preservation but lethal in large doses.
Bennett ingested the substance but soon regretted it. He reached out to a family member, desperately asking to be taken to the hospital immediately. Despite his plea for help, it was too late. He died in the ambulance, leaving his family in unimaginable grief. Bruce Brown, devastated by the loss, was left grappling with the reality that the substance responsible for his son’s death was so easily accessible online.
Sodium nitrite, though used in the food industry, is deadly in high concentrations. The compound prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen, leading to fatal consequences in a matter of minutes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicides involving sodium nitrite have been on the rise in recent years, often driven by discussions in online communities that openly share how to acquire and use the chemical for self-harm.
Determined to spare other families from similar heartbreak, Brown has taken action. In July 2024, Colorado passed legislation restricting the sale of sodium nitrite in high concentrations, joining other states like California and New York in regulating the substance. Colorado's new law mandates clear labeling, identifying the product as poisonous and explaining how to reverse its effects. However, Brown’s fight doesn’t end with Colorado. He’s advocating for the Youth Poisoning Protection Act, a bill that would ban the sale of sodium nitrite in high doses across the country. The bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2024, is currently awaiting approval from the Senate.
“The grief is immense and never-ending,” Brown shared. “There’s not an hour that goes by where my mind doesn’t go to Bennett. He was a great kid—funny, athletic, and well-liked. He would never have hurt another person or animal, yet he took his own life.”
For Bruce Brown, this mission is not just about policy change but about preventing other families from experiencing the same overwhelming sorrow. By raising awareness and pushing for legal restrictions, he hopes to create lasting change, ensuring that no more lives are lost to this dangerous and easily accessible substance.
If you or your loved one are struggling with addiction or depression, don’t wait until it's too late. Reach out to us at Avenues Recovery immediately. We can help you recover and live a happy and meaningful life.