Arlington coalition wants to keep drug abuse awareness program going

ARLINGTON — Lisa Martin was trying to save her daughter’s life.

She called everyone she could think of. She was turned away by some organizations because they needed to talk to her daughter directly. Others put her on a waiting list.

She quickly learned that there are far fewer detox beds and treatment centers than there are drug addicts, Martin said. Her daughter is hooked on heroin. She didn’t know how to help.

Now she is determined to get more resources in Snohomish County for addicts and their families. The first step is making sure people don’t turn a blind eye to drug problems close to home, she said.

Martin is the keynote speaker at Beyond the Shadows on Thursday evening at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd. The event is put on by the Arlington Drug Awareness Coalition, a group of parents, educators, nonprofits, business owners and others who aim to fight drug problems through knowledge and connections.

Beyond the Shadows follows up on the coalition’s first event in April, Out of the Shadows. It starts and ends with a resource fair featuring information about health, safety and activities for young people in the Arlington area. Guests can pick two of five breakout sessions to attend, each led by a different expert on drug abuse. Among them are police, medical professionals and representatives from the new Arlington Community Resource Center.

The resource fair starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by breakout sessions and Martin’s presentation.

Martin’s daughter, Carrie Enyeart, became addicted to heroin at 18 years old, fresh out of high school. She’s now 21 years old.

Martin watched her struggle to overcome the addiction, but Enyeart fell back into it again and again. They live in Smokey Point and drugs are easy to find. Enyeart started mixing methamphetamine with her heroin habit.

“I just called every number I could possibly find for a detox center or treatment center,” she said. “I felt like there weren’t any resources to help me save my daughter’s life.”

Earlier this year, she contacted the producers of the television show “Intervention” on A&E and they decided to film her daughter’s story and connect her with professional help. Enyeart started treatment in April, relapsed in July and then returned to treatment for another month. She relapsed again and is back in treatment in California. Martin expects her home for Thanksgiving, and then Enyeart plans to join a sober living program in California.

“I’m just holding my breath until then,” Martin said. “I want other parents to know that it doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent if your child is struggling with addiction. You never need to be ashamed to ask for help.”

Volunteers with the Arlington Drug Awareness Coalition want to make information about drug abuse, recovery and prevention easier to find, spokeswoman Andrea Conley said. That includes details on how to recognize drug use and addiction, how to find help and how parents and friends can keep young people away from drugs.

At Thursday’s event, medical professionals can explain what drug use does to the human body and the symptoms shown by addicts. Police plan to teach people how to recognize different drugs, show which ones are most common in Snohomish County and answer questions about drug laws and enforcement. Those types of specific breakout sessions are based on a survey of the 200 people who attended the April event, Conley said.

A number of local clubs, teams, nonprofits and youth groups also plan to have information on how to get involved in drug-free activities outside of school.

The coalition reached out to school districts around the county to share event details with students and parents.

“We wanted to make sure it was open to everyone,” Conley said. “It’s not just an Arlington challenge. It’s everywhere.”

She hopes this can be an example of the kind of work schools and cities can do. They can help people learn more about what to do for others and in their own homes to fight addiction.

The coalition plans to have another event this spring.

“You can’t just say, ‘Here’s a bunch of information’ and walk away,” Conley said. “You have to continue finding out what people want to know and what they need.”

Martin is proud that her community isn’t ignoring drugs. People often try to act like they aren’t there, but ignoring them only lets dealers and addicts flourish out of sight.

“The people out on the streets are worth saving,” she said. “They’re someone’s child, they’re someone’s brother or sister or mom. They’re not throwaways. They need help.”

She sees Beyond the Shadows as a bridge, whether it connects an individual to professional help or sparks discussions between leaders and organizations that can fight for more local resources.

She feels compelled to tell her story so others know they aren’t alone and it’s worth the fight.

“There’s hope,” Martin said. “Never give up on hope. There is another way of life out there and people don’t have to struggle in the throes of addiction.”

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

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.