Sultan coalition takes a stand against drugs

SULTAN — Young people in Sultan want more from life than drug addiction.

They deserve more.

That’s the new message from a years-long effort to battle substance abuse in town. The Sky Valley Community Coalition, which includes the schools, city officials, police, churches and the Volunteers of America, started getting going as far back as 2011.

At the time, it’d barely been two years since a Sultan teenager was stabbed to death in a gang-related attack a few feet from City Hall.

“The community was still really stirred up by that,” City Councilwoman Sarah Davenport-Smith said. “People were looking to the leadership to do something. What can we do to help this problem and make sure that our kids have constructive things to do, and they’re not going to choose to go down the wrong path?”

The coalition marked a major milestone with an assembly at Sultan High School on Friday.

The assembly featured images of high school students each holding a sign declaring what they want from life. They listed goals including graduating high school and visiting Europe.

The students call their part of the campaign “Want More,” and the focus is on telling students what to do with their lives, versus what not to do, Principal Tami Nesting said. “If you’re pursuing what you want, you won’t be messing around with the other things,” she said.

The assembly also combined themes of anti-bullying, inclusiveness and diversity. Kids started filling out the “Want More” cards in the fall, Assistant Principal Scott Sifferman said. Some answers were silly, but many were serious.

“In their own different ways, they shared what they wanted more of,” he said. “It’s a way of unveiling their dreams. Living a drug-free life allows you to at least not have that barrier shut doors and close opportunities.”

Sultan police officers filled out the Want More cards as well, said Police Chief Monte Beaton, who attends the community coalition meetings. The students are supplying the energy for the campaign, and the police are on board.

“I think it’s a good program, and it’s working toward giving kids an opportunity” to do something meaningful with their lives, Beaton said.

The coalition members aim to bring community groups, treatment providers and parenting resources together on common goals, Davenport-Smith said. They’ve received some grant money, too.

The Volunteers of America is part of the partnership and is providing support, said Adele Hurst, director of the Sky Valley Family and Community Resource Center on First Street.

Preventing drug and alcohol abuse is one of the most important ways to make sure young people become happy, productive and self-sustaining adults, she said.

The coalition is now exploring ideas such as adding early-education activities and setting up internships and apprenticeships for young people at local businesses, Davenport-Smith said.

“This isn’t just for the youth,” she said. “We want the whole community to be on board with Want More.”

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

More info

Find the Sky Valley Community Coalition on Facebook.

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.