Thanks to schools, all who made day a success

On Feb. 2, the sixth annual “Youth Meth Summit” was held at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Once again, the community responded with funding and by attending this much-needed discussion about the dangers of methamphetamine and other drugs. More than 1,000 students from Snohomish County spent the day in workshops and open discussions about making good decisions and helping one another face the plague of drug addiction.

I want to thank all of the school districts that participated by sending many of their middle and high school students to the summit. From Darrington to Granite Falls to Sultan to Edmonds and all the districts in between, they were there to support this event. Our schools are staffed with outstanding teachers and counselors who are doing their very best to help our kids have a good future. They make our communities better and safer.

A very special thank you to our nationally recognized Youth Meth Action Team, Ms. Beth Kerwin and family, County Clerk Pam Daniels and her staff, Ms. Becky Emborg and family, Laura Hindes, Chris and Jessica Van Horn, Ms. Susan York, the Stilliguamish Indian Tribe, DEA, YMCA, Snohomish County Drug Task Force, the Lynnwood Police explorers and volunteers, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Explorers, the Snohomish County Labor Council and most importantly the entire Kaczka family. You are all the best!

All of the Rotaries, Kiwanis, businesses, nonprofit organizations and parents who donated time, money and prizes also made a positive difference in these students’ lives.

Hope is alive and well in Snohomish County and this model of reaching out to our next generation of leaders is being copied all across the United States.

RICK BART

Snohomish County Sheriff

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