• Rick Harrison is the star of the hit show 'Pawn Stars'
  • His son has passed away unexpectedly
  • THIS is the apparent cause of death

The cause? A lethal fentanyl overdose that underscores the growing opioid crisis sweeping the nation. The fact is, drug overdoses and drub abuse have hit an all time high in the United States leaving many experts worried about the future of the nation. The celebrity world does not seem to be an exception to this tragedy.

The Harrison family is in shock

Rick Harrison, known for his sharp eye for valuable relics on the hit show 'Pawn Stars,' is now facing a personal loss far greater than any antique's price. Adam Harrison's life was cut short by the insidious reach of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that's claiming lives with its deadly potency.

The DEA warns that a mere two milligrams of fentanyl, less than a grain of salt, can be fatal. This stark reality has hit home for the Harrisons, as they join countless families mourning loved ones lost to this epidemic.

"Our family is extremely saddened by the death of Adam. We ask for privacy as we grieve his loss," the Harrison family said in a statement shared with the 'Las Vegas Review Journal.'

While Adam Harrison kept a lower profile than his famous father and brother Corey, he was an integral part of the family's renowned pawn shop in Las Vegas. The Harrisons have requested privacy during this difficult time, as they navigate the waves of grief following Adam's overdose.

The CDC's alarming statistics reveal a 55.6% surge in synthetic opioid-related deaths from 2020 to 2021, with fentanyl as the grim reaper leading the charge. Rick Harrison's anguished statement to Fox News Digital calls for a more aggressive stance against the fentanyl crisis that is devastating lives without prejudice.

Unlike his father Rick and brother Corey, Adam did not appear on the show, a reality series that chronicles business at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic, the United States has experienced an influx of illicit and illegal substance including fatal ones like fentanyl coming through their southern border. At the moment, the United States and even Canada are looking to implement very strict measures to secure their borders.

With illegal actors constantly crossing over to sell their product, it is all now officially a national crisis. And this border problem has the drug problem at its heart. Unfortunately, Rick Harrison is no stranger to this pain now.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) rose 55.6% from January 2020 to 2021 and appear to be the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths.

"Yes, I can confirm Adam died from a fentanyl overdose," Rick said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The fentanyl crisis in this country must be taken more seriously. It seems it is just flowing over the borders and nothing is being done about it. We must do better."

Hopefully the Harrisons and their story can inspire action.

Also interesting:

Since its debut in 2009, 'Pawn Stars' has captured the imagination of viewers, ranking as the second most-watched reality show on television. As fans eagerly await the premiere of season 23, the Harrison family's loss casts a somber shadow over the glitzy backdrop of their Las Vegas empire.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department has yet to provide further details on Adam's death, but the impact of his passing reverberates far beyond the neon lights of the Strip.

For now, let's wish the Harrisons all the strength in the world to overcome this great grief.