In recent weeks, area law enforcement agencies, working with detectives from Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT), have been investigating several cases involving pills containing fentanyl.

It is important to remember that even a small dose of fentanyl can cause the user to overdose or die and such incidents have occurred in Yavapai County in recent months. The pills being found in the community have no visible indication as to their contents.

As a community we can help stop this drug epidemic from claiming the lives of those we love by talking about the dangers of drug use.

Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, along with local law enforcement partners and MATFORCE, urge families to talk now, and often, about the dangers of drug use. With fentanyl-laced pills available in our community, it is very important that teens understand the life-threatening risk of sharing pills at parties, and how drug experimentation can have fatal consequences.

View the Community Alert here to learn more about the fentanyl and carfentanil pills being found throughout out communities.

View the Alerta Comunitaria en Espanol here.

MATFORCE's Youth Poster Contest is an annual event held to raise awareness among youth about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. The grand prize winning posters will be featured on MATFORCE substance abuse awareness materials throughout 2018.

Hundreds of students throughout Yavapai County participated in the contest. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office assists in promoting this contest each year.  

Grand Prize Winners are:

• Jared Sanders, Age 10, Skyview Charter School - K-6th Grade
• Angelina Jonas, Age 14, Bradshaw Mountain Middle School - 7th-12th Grade

Age Category Winners are:

• Jamie Ann Savoini, Age 5, Abia Judd Elementary - Age 5/6 Category Winner
• Bailey Rentschler, Age 8, Abia Judd Elementary - Age 7/8 Category Winner
• Anthony Cisneros, Age 10, Paulden School - Age 9/10 Category Winner
• Jordan Granados, Age 12, Bradshaw Mountain Middle School - Age 11/12 Category Winner
• Zachary Guillen, Age 14, Glassford Hill Middle School - Age 13/14 Category Winner
• Cassidy Blake, Age 15/16, Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center - Age 15/16 Category Winner
• Gilberto Herrera, Age 17, Camp Verde High School - Age 17/18 Category Winner

MATFORCE is pleased to announce the winners of its 2018 “Stand With Me, Be Drug Free” video contest. Area youth ages 11 to 18 were invited to let their voices be heard by creating an original short video that makes a positive statement about reducing drug and alcohol abuse.

In the middle school category first place was awarded to Jordan Bernal of Bradshaw Mountain Middle School. Second place was awarded to Tobias and Jubilee Okerlund, home-schooled. Third place was awarded to Abbie Booth of Clarkdale-Jerome School in Clarkdale.

In the high school category first place was awarded to Jedidiah Okerlund, home-schooled. Preston Maynard and Nick Daniels from Camp Verde High School earned second place. Third place was awarded to Emmanuel Chaidez of Bradshaw Mountain High School.

Honorable mention winners include: Jackson Luce of Basis Prescott.

View the winning entries here.

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 9 out of 10 people with a substance use disorder started using drugs and alcohol before they were 18 years old.

Parents: Talk early, talk often! Whether you're having trouble finding the time or the right words, support and resources are available to help. Discover helpful scripts developed by professionals to help you get conversations going with your child. Talking tips include topics for preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school and young adults.

Concerned your child is already using drugs or alcohol? Find resources to get help and support today.

Thank you, Cable One Advertising for producing this PSA and the multiple community members willing to share their recovery journey.

MATFORCE's Youth Poster Contest is an annual event held to raise awareness among youth about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. The grand prize winning posters will be featured on MATFORCE substance abuse awareness materials throughout 2017.

Hundreds of students throughout Yavapai County participated in the contest. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office assists in promoting this contest each year.  

First place awards went to: