MATFORCE Spotlight

November 2022 | Issue 2

Director's Corner

In 2006 a group of diverse leaders shared with each other how methamphetamine was causing rising crime rates, driving criminal caseloads, destroying families, harming children, and impacting our health care system. It was clear that law enforcement cannot solve a community's drug problem alone and that working together would be more affective.


Thus, MATFORCE was born and through a series of town halls, we reached out to communities across the county asking for new ways to combat drugs. We quickly expanded our mission from methamphetamine to all substances of abuse, including alcohol and marijuana.


Many amazing advocates have joined our effort, including people like Bob Farster, who became an integral member of our Speakers Bureau, sharing his personal struggle with drugs and recovery.


Today, MATFORCE consists of a wide network of people who participate in our many work groups, united in raising awareness about the harms of drugs and committed to our vision of working together to reduce substance abuse in Yavapai County. Every voice is welcome to our table. Check out our many programs and find an area to get involved!


Sincerely,



Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney

Founder & Chair of MATFORCE 

Prevention Champion

Doug Dolan, COO/Owner of Recovery in the Pines

I’m grateful for and humbled by my experience with MATFORCE. I have been blessed to sit on the Prescott Area Steering Committee, the OD Fatality Review Board, the Pharmacy Committee, and the Speakers Bureau.


It's amazing to experience the cooperative efforts of law enforcement, the legal community, the health department, and those in the mental health/substance abuse space. Together, these professionals discuss well thought out solutions for serious concerns in our community, put them into action, and experience the results.


I also love the opportunity to speak at schools, in companies, and with organizations on the issues of substance abuse and mental health.


I’m excited to see how MATFORCE will continue to be a positive force for change in Yavapai County and in the State of Arizona.

Community Impact | Model Creek School


"No one would think to bring a dog to a school to talk about not taking drugs. It was smart and the dog made everyone smile." — Liyra, 4th grade, Model Creek Elementary

As our school celebrated Red Ribbon Week 2022, we had the privilege of hosting POWER PUP, Miss Ivy and Miss Nikki. It was a fabulous wrap up to our week of encouraging our students to live a drug free life. MATFORCE helped greatly by providing daily giveaways, as well as quality, age appropriate worksheets they brought with them.


Part of our curriculum here at Model Creek involves how to handle stress in positive ways, how to properly fuel our bodies with good nutrition and be proactive in our life choices to be as successful as we can be. It was truly encouraging to our staff to have the MATFORCE team reinforce all three of those values as to their relation to living a drug free life. The presentations were age appropriate, engaging and as you can see in the photo we wore POWER PUP out! Our students have continued the conversation amongst themselves even after Red Ribbon Week.


The reality of drug use and abuse in Yavapai County is tragic and to know there are organizations such as MATFORCE out there being proactive about educating the community of the dangers, is a great thing. We are privileged to be working alongside them. 

Calendar of Events

Visit matforce.org for more information about events and how to register.

 

Visit our Website

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Free panel discussion open to the public. Discover resources, share your experience, find support, meet friends and ask questions. Coffee and childcare is provided.



Tuesday, December 6, 2022 | 9:30am to 11:30am

safeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone

Free workshop to learn steps to create a life-saving connection and help prevent suicide.


Wednesday, December 14, 2022 | 8:30am to 12:00pm

 

Communication: Why Won't You Listen to Me?

Communication skills are vital to our ability to connect with others. Trauma can often affect how our needs are communicated. This leads to challenging behaviors and broken relationships. Learn to have more positive interactions with others in this virtual presentation.



Tuesday, January 10, 2023 10:00am to 11:00 am

MATFORCE is a community organization that educates and raises awareness about substance use issues. With over 300 active volunteers, MATFORCE encompasses the belief that stopping drug use before it starts through primary prevention strategies is an essential part of building healthier communities.


Programs of MATFORCE include drug prevention education in the schools, the Yavapai Reentry Project, Trauma Lens Care, public awareness and education campaigns, the Substance Abuse Leaders of Arizona and advocating for policy change at the state and local level. For more information about MATFORCE visit our family of websites: 

matforce.org

MarijuanaHarmlessThinkAgain.org

SACLAz.org

AZDrugSummit.org

TraumaLensCare.org

OpioidOD.com

TalkNowAZ.com

NaloxoneAZ.com

TheNewMeth.com

LearnMoreAZ.org

YavapaiReentryProject.org

CommunityReentryProjectsAZ.org

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