Colorado – Bennett Brown, a 17-year-old boy from Colorado, tragically passed away after ingesting sodium nitrite, a dangerous substance that he had purchased online. Bennett, a vibrant and athletic teenager who excelled in soccer, was beloved by his friends and family. His sudden death has left the community in shock and mourning.
Bennett’s father, Bruce Brown, was devastated upon discovering that his son had ordered the hazardous chemical, which ultimately led to his untimely death. In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, Bruce turned his grief into advocacy, pushing for legal reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
In July 2024, Bruce successfully advocated for a bill in Colorado restricting the sale of high-concentration sodium nitrite, a key substance involved in Bennett’s death. This bill was passed with little opposition. Bruce is now focused on a national initiative, promoting the Youth Poisoning Protection Act, which seeks to ban the sale of sodium nitrite in high concentrations across the United States. The bill has already passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.
Bruce Brown hopes his advocacy will raise awareness about the dangers of such substances and protect other families from enduring the same heartache. “You lose a child, there’s nothing worse,” he said, urging parents to be vigilant about their children’s online activities. Through his efforts, Bruce aims to prevent future tragedies and save lives, turning his family’s personal loss into a powerful call for change.