Let's light the valley purple Aug. 31 to support addiction recovery

The briefing

A column urges the Wenatchee Valley to light porch lights and storefronts purple on Aug. 31 for International Overdose Awareness Day. Thriving Together and partner organizations will remember those lost to overdose from 7-9 p.m. at Memorial Park, with recovery advocacy manager Joseph Hunter leading the effort. The writer argues society treats addiction as a moral failure rather than a public health issue, making it far harder for people to rebuild after recovery.