Close to 100 people from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community gathered with handmade signs at the SITC’s gym March 27. Holle Edwards, march coordinator said, “this is the fourth (annual) March (on Drugs) …. it was really empowering … the youth center made signs with the kids the day before the March that said things like ‘Say No to Drugs’ and ‘Do Drugs and Your Brain Turns into Slugs.’”

The tragic loss of family members and friends due to opioid deaths has reached frightening and heart breaking epidemic numbers, impacting many communities nationwide. “This event (This Has To Stop) was started after Eugene Edwards lost his son Tyler Edwards Ross Edwards on March 24, 2013” according to Tyler’s Aunt Aurelia Bailey. She said, “he wanted to be open and upfront with the fact that he lost a son to heroin and if he could reach people suffering from addiction, Tyler’s death would save someone else.”

The March consisted of family, friends, counselors, Swinomish drug and alcohol treatment staff, church ministers, many in recovery from drugs and alcohol abuse and a record turnout of youth. Its purpose was to literally carry the message “This Has To Stop” throughout SITC. The success was seen on the many banners and participant T-shirts.

Local Skagit County Fire District 13 First Responders and their emergency vehicles, stationed on the Reservation, led the procession. They’re often the ones who respond to 911 calls that can sometimes be the result of a drug and/or alcohol related overdose.

The Swinomish Police Department also escorted the marchers. SPD frequently receive and respond to 911 calls as well and like SCFD 13 they are also trained to try and revive someone who has possibly overdosed on heroin, with NARCAN (Naloxone).

Right behind SCFD 13, a truck belonging to the grandparents of Tyler Ross Edwards displayed a “This Has To Stop” banner. Next, carrying a larger matching banner, came the youth and other marchers. Resonating throughout the procession, during the hour long march along the streets of SITC, were voices singing traditional Lushootseed healing drum songs, sung by the SITC Canoe family (Eugene Edwards and many of Tyler’s family) and the marchers.

Standing at the corner outside the SITC gym, where the procession ended, was Holle Edward’s two-year old son, Russell Edwards. He was drumming and singing along with the final song being shared.

Holle is a heartening success story after going through treatment several times and is now a recovering addict. For three years she was a “resident aid” of the Swinomish transitional living housing program and is currently getting her chemical dependency license to become a Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee. She will intern at the tribal based Swinomish Wellness Program and the newly opened medication assistance treatment facility, called “didgwalic.” On South March Point Road in Anacortes, it provides wrap around services.

Holle said, “These programs are important to the community …. because it’s nice to be able to offer something to help them heal.”

More about “didgwalic” : http://www.didgwalic.com and the Swinomish Wellness Program: http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov/resources/health-wellness/wellness-program.aspx