ESTABLISHED IN LOVING MEMORY
Bryce Jackson
June 28, 2005 – June 23, 2023
Bryce’s Story
Bryce’s Treehouse was founded in memory of Bryce Jackson, who passed away from fentanyl poisoning on June 23, 2023, just five days shy of his 18th birthday and shortly after graduating from Bowie High School.
Bryce was a loving, smart, and creative young man who struggled with ADHD, DMDD, and was ultimately diagnosed as high-functioning autistic shortly before his passing.
Following his return to school after a stay at Sheppard Pratt in Towson, MD, Bryce became involved with a peer group engaged in marijuana use and pill parties on school grounds. Despite efforts to alert school staff about these dangerous behaviors, support and intervention were lacking.
In the wake of Bryce’s death, his mother found herself in a deep and painful grief, made even harder by isolation. In many support spaces for grieving parents, political agendas—such as support for drug-induced homicide laws—take precedence over compassion and equity. These laws often disproportionately harm the very communities that are already most affected by the drug and mental health crises: Black, Brown, and Indigenous families.
This organization was born from a need to tell the whole truth about fentanyl and substance use—from a lens of harm reduction, equity, and mental health support, not punishment or fear.
-
We envision a future where all families—regardless of race, background, or zip code—have access to the mental health and substance use resources they need to thrive. A future where harm reduction is practiced with love and understanding, and where Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities are no longer disproportionately affected by overdose due to systemic neglect.
Our goal is to help shift the narrative: from one of blame and exclusion to one of care, education, equity, and effective public health solutions.
Meet Bryce’s Mom
Kimberly Douglas, Founding Director
Kimberly Douglas has spent more than 20 years working in nonprofit and political advocacy, focused on building stronger, more just communities. Her work has always centered on creating meaningful change and ensuring people feel seen, supported, and heard.
In June 2023, Kimberly’s life changed forever when her 17-year-old son, Bryce, passed away from fentanyl poisoning.
Since then, she has had to navigate unimaginable loss while choosing, each day, to work towards healing, to care for her well-being, and to use her voice in a new and deeply personal way.
Today, Kimberly travels, speaks, and shares Bryce’s story to help others understand the reality of this crisis and the lives it continues to impact.
In many communities, especially within Black families, there is a deep stigma surrounding mental health and substance use. Too often, that stigma leads to a silence that can have devastating consequences.
Bryce may not be coming home, but through this important work, Kimberly is fighting to make sure other families don’t experience the same loss.