MATForce, the Yavapai County Substance Abuse Coalition: Working Together to Build Healthier Communities

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Due to an overwhelming concern for substance abuse and its effects, MATForce, the Yavapai County Substance Abuse Coalition was formed in 2006. The coalition formed through the leadership of County Attorney Sheila Polk and the support of the Yavapai County Government. Today the coalition consists of over 300 community volunteers who work to achieve the following mission statement: With determination and integrity, we, the citizens of Yavapai County, commit to working in partnership to build healthier communities by striving to eliminate substance abuse and its effects. With the input of over 300 community members, a strategic plan and the following four goal statements were developed: to support prevention programs for youth and families; to increase the capacity to intervene and treat; to address the problem of underage drinking; and to influence public opinion and policy. County-wide workgroups have been formed to determine and implement objectives and action steps to address these goals. Through the coalition’s efforts, an extensive public awareness campaign has been implemented. Other projects of the coalition have included evidence-based trainings for treatment professionals, a mini meth-addiction study, an annual “March Against Meth” Parade, “Dump the Drugs”—a prescription drug disposal program, “meth snapshot” study weeks to evaluate the work of the coalition, a county-wide poster contest, prom and graduation anti-substance abuse projects, sponsorship of events such as Teen Maze and Recovery Celebration, and support to various prevention programs.