Mike Loomis
My name is Mike Loomis, and together with my wife, Lorie Loomis, we are the founders of RACE AGAINST DRUGS.
On April 22, 2021, we experienced the unimaginable loss of our son, James Allen Loomis, who was taken from us at the age of 27 due to a fentanyl poisoning. Like so many other families across North Carolina and the country, we were thrust into a nightmare of grief, heartbreak, and the overwhelming mental health struggles that accompany such a tragedy.
I was filled with anger and despair. I knew the people and circumstances involved in James’s death, and the weight of that knowledge consumed me. I remember being on the road, driving home from Madison, Alabama, when I called my son. He didn’t answer. Moments later, my phone rang, and it was the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. Before the deputy even spoke, I knew. My son was gone. I nearly wrecked my truck, overwhelmed with shock and anguish, and sped home as fast as I could.
The days that followed were a blur of heartbreak and disbelief. Lorie and I had to plan our son’s funeral—a task no parent should ever endure. My wife, barely able to walk or stand from the weight of her grief, leaned on me, and I leaned on her. Together, we had to face family and friends who came to mourn James. Our other children—Michael, Dylan, and Nicole—and my dear mother, Carolyn, who was in a wheelchair, shared in this devastating loss. That week, I turned to alcohol, trying to numb the pain and anger inside me. All I could think about were the four individuals I believed were responsible for James’s death.
The day of James’s funeral arrived. We laid him to rest in our family cemetery in Troutman, NC. As I stood there, surrounded by loved ones, I couldn’t help but notice some still struggling with addiction, while others were in recovery. It was a stark reminder of the ongoing battle so many face. After the funeral, I went to the house where James had been killed. I confronted people there, filled with rage and hatred, but also an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
By late 2021, I realized I couldn’t let my anger consume me. Instead, I needed to channel it into something meaningful. That’s when Lorie and I founded RACE AGAINST DRUGS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating others about the dangers of fentanyl and supporting individuals and families affected by substance abuse. We began hosting meetings, working with other families across the state, and helping those in need of recovery and mental health support. We assist individuals in accessing inpatient detox and mental health programs, aiming to make a real difference in their lives.
Becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit was a milestone for us, but the real transformation was personal. I no longer harbor anger. Instead, I have found compassion and love for the people we work with. I have turned to faith, been baptized, and committed myself to a life of service. Since James’s death, I have not had a single drink—a decision inspired by the memory of my son and the desire to honor his life.
This is just a short version of our story, but it’s one that has profoundly changed us. Through our grief, we’ve found purpose. And through our purpose, we hope to prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak we have endured.