Washington, D.C
Families reeling from overdose fatalities to march on Washington D.C.
Households impacted by overdose deaths march on Washington D.C.
A march on Washington D.C scheduled for this weekend will demand lawmakers take instant motion to curb the surging numbers of drug overdose deaths in America.
SEATTLE – A march on Washington D.C scheduled for this weekend will demand lawmakers take instant motion to curb the surging numbers of drug overdose deaths in America.
Demonstrators will carry symbolic headstones emblazoned with the names of family members misplaced to substance use dysfunction.
Kristy Hanson visits with Marlys McConnell, and collectively they craft the symbolic headstones, holding memorials to family members who’ve died from a drug overdose.
“I’m going to create change,” mentioned McConnell.
On every gravestone are the names and photographs of these misplaced within the grip of substance abuse. However they’re now dwelling on, as a reminder that dependancy touches almost each American household.
The 2 create the headstones of their kitchens, saying they symbolize what has been misplaced and what may very well be saved if entry and attitudes surrounding substance abuse therapy have been a matter of dignity and respect.
“I do know that if my boy’s image and data was on another person’s kitchen desk, I’d need them to deal with it with love and respect,” mentioned McConnell. “You actually wish to give that to different households.”
The Path of Reality Memorial March started in 2016 in New York State, the place locals demanded officers make an correct rely of these misplaced to dependancy.
As overdose deaths skyrocket throughout America, what started as an illustration in New York now spreads throughout the nation as a march on Washington D.C. The march consists of dozens of different grassroots organizations that demand policymakers tackle two limitations to profitable restoration.
First, to make out there instant entry to therapy for anybody prepared for it, and second, to finish discriminatory medical care practices that perpetuate stigma.
“We have to come collectively as a neighborhood and actually do higher,” mentioned Jessica Saemen from Path of Reality. “Why is that this nation okay with 107,000 lives gone with substance abuse dysfunction?”
Hanson marches for her son, who died from an overdose in April 2022.
“He had a lot want to be clear and be dad and member of the family,” she mentioned.
McConnell marches for her son and her mom, who each struggled with substance use.