Father of fake Oxycontin victim Kelly Best angry at drug dealers

Don Best said his 19-year-old son, Kelly, was smart and charismatic.

He had plans to pursue post-secondary education. He also loved his friends.

However, Kelly's seemingly bright future was cut short one night when he took a lethal dose of Fentynal, a potent narcotic, disguised as Oxycontin 80.

"You know, if they try it more than a couple times it usually seems to have such a hold, an effect on them, that it doesn't want to let them go. They struggle so hard with that," Don said of his son's experience with street drugs. 

Three people in Saskatoon have died from counterfeit Oxycontin in the past six months.

Recently, police targeted two gangs, the Hells Angels and the Fallen Saints with property raids. In Saskatoon, nine homes and two businesses were searched. 

By the end of the investigation, police had confiscated 3,358 Fentanyl pills, the same counterfeit Oxycontin drug that killed 19-year-old Best.

"My first reaction is hats off the the police ... just very proud of what they've done," he said. "Keep the machine rolling, keep their guards down." 

Don said he believes parents and educators need to do more to educate themselves about the dangers of street drugs and how to recognize it in their children and students.

The grieving father also said he is frustrated that people make their living by selling others toxic substances.

"I am angry at the cause, because they're the cause of it," he said. "You know, without the supply, he would have never tried it, you know, it would have been absent in his life. Great job. They got a bunch. Are there more? I guarantee there's many more."

Best said both his sons struggled with addiction and now he wants to work with officials at the provincial level to develop further education on the dangers of narcotics.

"I hope that the consequences of my son's death prevent other kids from wondering what its like, or if they are doing it, to stop doing it, because it can kill you."