MATForce - Methamphetamine Advisory Task Force

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“Dump the Drugs” Collects 900 Pounds of Medication

MATForce’s “Dump the Drugs” event in the Prescott area collected an estimated 600 pounds of expired or unwanted prescription or over the counter medication. Add this to the estimated 300 pounds collected earlier in Cottonwood and the result is that 900 pounds of medication have been kept out of the hands of youth and out of our waters. MATForce sponsored these events to raise awareness about the rise in prescription drug abuse among teens. In 2006, the Arizona Youth Survey (AYS) reported that one in every four Yavapai County 12th graders had abused prescription medication. The 2008 AYS Report shows that figure is now one in three. MATForce and Law Enforcement appreciate all who helped with this project and extends a sincere thank you to community members who participated. MATForce is especially grateful to the Sedona Police Department for their participation in the both events.

MATForceMissionStatement
MATForce - Yavapai County Substance Abuse Coalition

What is MATForce? MATForce is a community-wide grass-roots effort working to eliminate substance abuse in Yavapai County. What is the coalition? The coalition is our community, represented by hundreds of people from all walks of life who have joined together with the common goal of fighting substance abuse and its effects.

The Vision
Working together to eliminate substance abuse in Yavapai County

The Coalition
MATForce was created in March 2006 as the result of an agreement among three local agencies to join forces in order to collectively address substance abuse in Yavapai County. People from all segments of the community were invited to join the coalition, including:

Law enforcement
Business community
Schools
Youth
Parents and caregivers
Faith-based community

Government
Youth-serving agencies
Media
Healthcare agencies
Treatment community
Recovery community

Goals – “Strategic Plan”
A county-wide strategic plan was developed in 2007 by over 70 coalition members, representing various groups, agencies and communities. Input for this plan was generated from 330 participants who attended one of 14 community forums held throughout the County. Mission and goal statements were also developed through these community forums. Each year, coalition members gather to review MATForce’s goals, aligning our projects with current substance abuse issues and trends.

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