Arlington coalition shines light on youth drug use, addiction

ARLINGTON — It’s time to shine a light on drug problems here and learn how to help, officials say.

The Arlington Drug Awareness Coalition is hosting an evening event called Out of the Shadows to share stories, advice and resources for preventing youth drug use and fighting addiction. The coalition includes representatives from the school district, city, Stillaguamish Tribe and Cascade Valley Hospital.

The group has prepared a video in which students and young adults in Arlington speak about their struggles with drug abuse or the addictions of friends and family. To protect their privacy, they have been silhouetted, or shadowed, in the video. That’s why the event is called Out of the Shadows.

It’s important to have that perspective from local students and families to make it clear that drugs are a close-to-home problem, district spokeswoman Andrea Conley said.

“We all say it can’t happen to us, it can’t happen to my family,” she said. “But great families with great children find themselves in this situation.”

Shanna Crookes is a guidance counselor and a prevention and intervention specialist for the Arlington School District. She helps hundreds of students plan their classes and graduation goals each year. She also counsels about 50 students every year as they grapple with their own drug addictions or the effects of having parents, siblings or friends who are addicts.

She’s been doing the job for seven years and said she hasn’t seen much of an increase in drug use among her students. However, she has noticed that the community seems to battling more heroin use and drug-related crimes.

“I see it as a constant and a steady problem,” Crookes said.

She teaches her students how to cope with a roller-coaster of emotions and think through tough decisions in stressful moments. It’s important for people to understand what they can and cannot control, then focus on the things they can, she said. She also refers students and families to resources like Catholic Community Services, Cocoon House or additional counseling.

There was no specific catalyst that inspired the coalition to put on this event, Crookes said. Drug abuse is a long-standing problem volunteers have wanted to address for a while.

“I think you just have a community of people who see a problem and want to know: How can we help?” Crookes said. “How can we deal with this?”

Crookes is speaking at the event, along with the mother of a young drug addict, the owner of a treatment center, local police officers, the superintendent, mayor and a representative from Cascade Valley Hospital.

People want to “be part of the change in our community,” Conley said. “If we all pull together, we’ll be able to support others and take away the stigma for getting help.”

The evening starts and ends with the Healthy Families, Healthy Communities Fair where people can learn about different resources and support groups in the Stillaguamish Valley. Cascade Valley Hospital is providing information on how to recognize different drugs and signs of drug abuse. Police are hosting a take-back program that accepts unused prescription drugs. After-school clubs and youth organization also have information about programs to keep kids busy and safe.

Out of the Shadows originally was planned last year, but the district postponed it after the deadly Oso mudslide.

“It wasn’t good timing for anybody,” Conley said. “People were dealing with the aftermath of a disaster.”

Crookes expects people to approach the evening with different mindsets. Some are concerned about a loved one’s drug abuse, others about the security of their homes and safety of their families. Some have been victims of drug-related crimes, while others may have committed crimes to fund their addiction.

“I think the whole Arlington Drug Awareness Coalition wants to approach this from a place of compassion,” Crookes said. “There are people struggling in our community. We need to know how to educate ourselves and, once we’re educated, how do we help.”

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Out of the Shadows starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, with presentations at 7 p.m. in the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.