Opinion: ‘Every time we lose a child, we have failed’

By , Guest Columnist Updated: July 13, 2025 4:00 AM CT | Published: July 13, 2025 4:00 AM CT
Wendy Sumner-Winter
Guest Columnist

Wendy Sumner-Winter

Wendy Sumner-Winter is a lifelong Memphian. She volunteers her time for various Memphis-based organizations with a particular focus on Memphis youth and people with special needs. She is a member of the Youth Opioid Overdose Task Force, vice-chair of the board for The Memphis Challenge, and a passionate yogi.

“Jack didn’t die because he didn’t want recovery. He didn’t die because he was a bad kid. He died because the systems around him were inadequate, uncoordinated, underfunded and broken.”

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