In the News

DARRINGTON — The teens came back from the East Coast with ideas they hope will help them steer others away from drugs.

Six members of the Darrington Youth Coalition attended the national leadership forum for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Institute in February. The three-day event was hosted near Washington, D.C., and they spent time in the nation’s capital.

The students attended classes about drug use prevention and intervention, many focused on the opioid epidemic affecting communities around the country. They met with U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene. She expressed interest in visiting Darrington sometime for one of their youth events. They planned to watch the U.S. Congress in action, but the federal government shut down that day. They explored instead.

The youth coalition focuses on providing opportunities for young people and preventing alcohol and drug abuse. Teens in the group have gone to statewide conferences in the past, but this was the first trip to the national event. With the current focus in Snohomish County on addressing the opioid epidemic, Darrington’s youth were eager to bring back new information and inspiration.

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