I appreciate The Beachcomber’s decision to share Sierra Linden’s toxicology report. It shattered a dangerous island myth into a thousand painful pieces.

Here on Vashon, drug and alcohol use are a part of our community. This is an important truth to accept, because these choices have consequences. Unfortunately, we tend to avoid discussing the issue once a consequence comes to pass.

Vashon youth are smart. In the back of their minds, they know that driving under the influence is a bad idea. At the same time, there is a pervasive myth that goes something like this: “You can safely drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so long as you are careful.”

What can change such a belief? The truth.

Sierra’s passing is nothing but a tragedy. There is no silver lining to the horrendous loss of this young woman. The gaping hole that her vibrant self used to fill is an ache that will pain those who knew and loved her for the rest of their lives.

And that’s what driving under the influence can do. It can utterly ruin your life in a hundred different ways. Which is why ignoring the cause is not acceptable. Sierra’s death was an accident. It wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t inevitable. It was the result of alcohol-impacted thinking (I’m sober enough to drive my car) combined with alcohol-impacted reflexes.

In other words, Sierra should still be here. And so should her dog. But they’re not.

So if you’re going to use drugs or alcohol, while you’re still sober, come up with a plan for getting home. And, if your friend is planning to drive while high or drunk, hide the keys and offer up your couch. You just might save a life.

— March Twisdale