The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our residents’ mental and behavioral health. The isolation many people experienced led to the onset of new conditions for some and exacerbated existing conditions in others. Over the last year and a half, we have been challenged by two pandemics, COVID-19 and substance use disorder. In Snohomish County, fatal overdoses increased by 27% in 2020, and fatal opioid-related overdoses increased by 46%.
Fortunately, the Lee and Warfield families as well as the organization Hope Soldiers in Snohomish County, have worked tirelessly to bring awareness to this pandemic and stop overdoses in Snohomish County. Over the last five years, the Opioid Response MAC Group led by the Department of Emergency Management, and the Snohomish Health District have been honored to partner with the Lee and Warfield families and Hope Soldiers to host an annual Overdose Awareness Day vigil and resource fair.
This event gives community members who have lost loved ones a space to be in communion with one another and honor loved ones who have been lost. The event also provides an opportunity for people in active addiction and recovery an opportunity to connect to much-needed resources.
This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, August 31st, 5 - 9 pm at the Snohomish County Campus Plaza in Everett. The first part of the event will include a resource fair on the first floor of the administrative building and the vigil will begin around 6:30 p.m.
Please click here to visit the Facebook event page for more information.
