A father from Georgia is speaking out about the tragic loss of his son, Thomas Habeeb, who died from a fentanyl overdose in July 2025. In a heartfelt account, Tommy Habeeb described his 19-year-old son as a compassionate young man with a “beautiful heart.” He remembered Thomas as someone who was always eager to help others and had never met a stranger.
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Tommy revealed that Thomas had previously grappled with substance abuse during his junior year of high school, but he had successfully turned his life around, enrolling at North Georgia College to pursue a degree in finance. However, during this time, Thomas began to heavily vape, including using products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC—the active component in cannabis known for creating a feeling of euphoria.
On that fateful morning of July 15, Tommy’s life was irrevocably changed when Thomas’s mother found their son unresponsive. The subsequent autopsy confirmed the heartbreaking news: he had succumbed to a fentanyl overdose. Tommy expressed his belief that Thomas had not intentionally sought out fentanyl, especially given that he had already lost friends to the substance. He suspects that Thomas’s vape pen had been laced with fentanyl, throwing suspicion on the prevalence of illicitly manufactured drugs being circulated among young people.
“He obviously wasn’t 21, so he must have acquired them either through a convenience store or from the streets,” Tommy stated, underscoring the difficulty of tracking the origins of such dangerous products. He emphasised the need for an investigation in Jackson County, where the incident occurred, describing the situation as an epidemic with authorities facing overwhelming challenges in addressing the issue.
In sharing his sorrow, Tommy Habeeb underscored the intense pain that comes with losing a child, which he described as “unique” and “unexplainable.” Despite his heartache, he expressed a desire to use his son’s story to increase awareness of the risks associated with fentanyl, particularly as it pertains to vaping. He hopes to encourage other parents to engage with their representatives on the need for more stringent regulations.
Reflecting on Thomas’s life, the obituary released by his family painted a touching portrait of the young man. He was characterised as his father’s “big-man” and best friend, and his mother’s “baby boy.” He is survived by his parents and two sisters, alongside numerous extended family members. The obituary noted that he will be remembered for his love of music, video games, and jeeping, along with his genuine nature and friendly spirit.
In honour of Thomas, his family has initiated a charitable endowment through the University of Georgia known as the Thomas Habeeb IV Wellness and Health Memorial Endowment. This fund is set up to support the mental, emotional, and physical health of students and staff at the University of North Georgia, reflecting the values that Thomas held dear—his care for others and community wellbeing.
Tommy hopes that by sharing their family’s story, they can prevent other parents from experiencing the same unimaginable heartache. “If I can prevent one parent from feeling this pain, it would be a success for me,” he stated earnestly. The message he wishes to convey is one of heightened awareness regarding the dangers of fentanyl-laced products and the importance of open discussions within families about substance use.
As the conversation surrounding drug safety continues to evolve, the devastating impact of fentanyl remains a pressing concern within communities. Tommy Habeeb’s heartbreaking experience serves as a reminder of the dangers that can lurk in seemingly innocuous products, highlighting the urgent need for preventative measures and the ongoing fight against substance abuse among youths.