The Snohomish County community is set to come together once again for "A Night To Remember, A Time To Act," marking the eighth annual remembrance and resource fair aimed at overdose awareness. Scheduled for Thursday, August 29 at the Snohomish County Plaza, the evening begins at 5 p.m. with a resource fair, followed by a candlelight vigil and program at 6:15 p.m.
This event seeks to honor those who have succumbed to overdose and to destigmatize addiction. Co-founders Cathi Lee and Debbie Warfield began the vigil as a way to commemorate their sons, and have since used the platform to address addiction support and treatment options. “It has been 12 years since our son, Spencer, died from an overdose. In that time, I realized there is no one solution for people suffering from addiction,” Warfield told Snohomish County, emphasizing the need for openness to medication-assisted treatment.
Similarly, Lee shared her evolved understanding of addiction. She expressed past misconceptions, saying, "Before my son, Corey, died from an overdose nearly nine years ago, I believed that addiction was a moral, ethical, and mental issue that could be 'fixed' with counseling, abstinence, and prevention." Lee's experiences co-hosting the vigil have underscored the complex nature of addiction treatment, where one size does not fit all.
The event is in collaboration with Hope Soldiers and Snohomish County, featuring a program that promises to be interactive. Attendees can expect a new question-and-answer format with speakers like County Executive Dave Somers, Judge Karen Moore, and representatives from local treatment providers. Arrington, with Hope Soldiers, conveyed her anticipations for the dialogue about misunderstood life-saving programs, "We're looking forward to having guests that will speak about life-saving programs that have stigmas that we want to help dispel," Arrington explained. Somers, reflecting on his loss, stated, "Overdoses have taken a terrible toll, and I believe it’s important to have these chances for people to come together and share memories, grief, and also hope," as detailed by Snohomish County Official Website.
Guests are also urged to bring photos to honor loved ones during the vigil, reinforcing the event's personal and communal significance. The event will also be accessible via live stream on the Hope Soldiers Facebook page, accommodating those unable to attend in person.
