About MADV
The annual March Against Drugs and Violence (MADV) began in the 1990s when a father, alarmed by the drug needles he picked up on a daily basis, decided to take a stand and start bringing healing to a community plagued by a sickness affecting so many other United States cities small and large.
Michael Yakawich, the founder of MADV, has advocated against drug abuse and violence for decades in the city of Billings, Montana. Literally dodging bullets, he knows the importance of a whole community coming together to reject violence and support those struggling with drug addiction to transform families and communities.
Today, dozens of local organizations are joining hands and drawing hundreds of people from all backgrounds to spread information on preventing drugs from getting into the wrong hands, leading people facing addiction into support centers, and educating the community on the signs to look for in family members who are at risk.
Our Story
A miracle. I am very blessed in that way. I feel like I’m finally, just even in this moment, coming into my purpose for my life.
Mina Crenshaw, MADV Speaker
It’s the community who is saying to me, we’ve got to keep it going. And not only they’re saying that, they’re pitching in. They’re donating and they’re supporting the event. And so 25 years later, I’m so encouraged by the outpouring. It used to be my event. Now it’s our event.
Mike Yakawich, MADV Founder
Hopelessness to hopeful came in because I didn’t do this on my own. I’m lucky. I really am.
Misty Mitchell, MADV Speaker
March Against Drugs and Violence 