How does the author use symbolism in the novel, Unlikely Animals?

The rooster is the mascot of Everton high school and represents the town's attitude toward the opioid crisis. Many of the people in Everton have resorted to criminalizing victims of the crisis, which causes them to label addicts 'criminals' and 'trash.' This attitude has only further entrenched the town in the tragedy, and has failed to provide the support needed to rehabilitate those suffering from addiction. When Rasputin kills the rooster on stage in front of the whole town, it symbolizes the death of an old attitude toward the crisis and the birth of a more accepting and empathetic stance towards victims of the opioid epidemic.