LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas mom whose son died because of drugs is upset about large pill stickers on the outside of a local hotel-casino.
It's only been a year since Debi Nadler lost her 28-year-old son, Brett.
"He fought hard, he fought very hard, and he lost the battle," Nadler said. "One pill can kill, one pill."
His pill addiction cost him his life and left Nadler devastated.
The anniversary of his death was just days ago, the same day she saw what appeared to be stickers of pills on the windows of the Palms Resort.
"It was kind of like a big slap in my face to see a building with pills on the day I was doing my son's unveiling," Nadler said.
Earlier, Chopper 13 was able to get an up-close look of the art depicting pills in different shapes and sizes, covering portions of the windows at the Palms.
13 Action News has learned that this outside motif is part of a more significant piece which can be found on the other side of the windows, inside the Empathy Suite.
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It includes artwork like pharmacy motifs and art pieces like a large pill cabinet.
But Nadler's concern is what's outside for everyone to see and fears it glorifies pill and drug use in a society already grappling with the nation-wide opioid epidemic.
"I wouldn't even call it a piece of art, I call it something that is like a constant reminder to people who have lost their kids, to active users out there," she said.
The Department of Health and Human Services says Nevadans have had more hospital visits due to opioids in the last three years - that's more than the previous seven years combined.
Nadler is hoping this harsh reality will bring change.
"I think if they want to do something to help the community, they could do artwork depicting mothers hunched over, grieving over their kids or something effective to bring recognition to the pulls," Nadler said.
13 Action News reached out to the company for a statement, and as of Thursday night, a property spokesperson did not have a comment.
13 Action News also asked people what they thought about the pill stickers on Facebook. In addition to those who understood the mother's feelings, there were also many people who thought the stickers were no big deal or agreed that they are simply art or thought that the mother and others should be less sensitive and the hotel-casino is not promoting the usage of illegal drugs.
