Washington (January 29, 2026) – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, highlighted Lilly Harvey of Jonesville, Louisiana who founded the nonprofit “Millie Mattered” after losing her daughter to a fentanyl overdose. Lilly has dedicated her life to educating young people on the dangers of illegal opioids and helping families navigate the tragedy of addiction, turning this tragedy into hope for families across the country. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency.
Read his full January 2026 Local Spotlight below:
This local spotlight is on Lilly Harvey from Jonesville, Louisiana.
And Lilly is known across the state for raising awareness about the effect, the terrible effect, of illegal opioids.
In 2017, Lilly received the nightmare call no parent ever wants to receive. Her 28-year-old daughter, Millie, had taken fentanyl and died.
Now, when you lose someone you love, particularly a child, it leaves a hole that can never be filled. For Lilly, that hole is because of Millie.
Now, what’s particularly awful, is that you can go to every parish, every county, every state in our nation and find a family who has their own tragic story like Lilly does.
And Lilly understood this. She founded a nonprofit called Millie Mattered, educating young people on the tactics that drug dealers use, and, because of this, Millie will not be forgotten.
Her legacy lives on through her mother, as her mother educates young people, helps families, saves lives.
Lilly, thank you for your work, your partnership, your dedication to giving others the chance that your daughter did not have.
You turned tragedy into something good, and that is the definition of being a hero.
Keep being a hero. Keep educating. Keep fighting. Keep making Louisiana proud. Let Millie’s legacy live on.
Background
Lilly has been an important partner in the fight to end the opioid epidemic. In December, she joined Cassidy at an event in New Orleans to celebrate the signing of his SUPPORT Act, standing alongside other angel families to share her testimony. The SUPPORT Act bolsters prevention, treatment, and recovery services for Americans with substance use disorders.
In August, Lilly also attended an event in Baton Rouge to celebrate the signing of Cassidy’s HALT Fentanyl Act, which gives law enforcement one more tool to fight back against fentanyl traffickers by permanently scheduling fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act.
In December, Cassidy highlighted Andrew Coleman, a Louisianan following God’s call to ministry by sharing the Gospel through his artistic gifts. After a year in seminary, Andrew discovered his true calling—serving God and his community through woodworking.
