Florence, AZ – Pinal County Attorney James P. Walsh donated $5,000 from RICO funds to the San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition to assist with implementing a prevention program in all three area school districts.

The San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition solicited funds to bring the Scottsdale based notMYkid Foundation’s programs to the area in an effort to tackle substance and alcohol abuse, depression, self injury, internet safety, safe dating, bullying and eating disorders. The prevention sessions are lead by young adults, who overcame addiction and relate to the problems children face today.

“Organizations such as the San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition are vital to short and long-term crime prevention efforts,” said James P. Walsh, Pinal County Attorney and Pinal County Substance Abuse Council Chairman.  “I am eager to help the coalition and other grassroots organizations that promote substance abuse prevention for both children and adults.”

Other sponsors included the Sheriff’s Office for $5,000, the Florence Unified School District for $2,100 (in kind donation) and the J.O. Combs Unified School District for $700. The notMYkid Foundation contributed greatly to the effort by more than matching the local effort. The $26,000 program is comprised of a five-part educational series targeting students, parent and faculty. The program will serve the Florence Unified School District, the Coolidge Unified School District and the J.O. Combs School District. The program will roll out this fall.

“We are very excited to announce that the San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition has successfully coordinated and partnered with the notMYkid Foundation,” said Sheri George, San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition Chairwoman. “The school districts, Pinal County Attorney Jim Walsh and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu will get a meaningful substance abuse program into all 15 middle and high schools in San Tan Valley, Coolidge and Florence. It is critical that we unite together as a community to assist our children in making positive life choices instead of choosing destructive behaviors.”

The San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition is an all volunteer organization committed to providing recovery, education, and prevention resources to those affected by substance abuse and, or mental health issues. The coalition vision is to collaborate with all sectors of San Tan Valley to create a drug free community, and to coordinate support for individuals and families with substance abuse and, or mental health disorders. The coalition provides recovery resources to individuals and families suffering with substance abuse and, or mental health issues. Please contact us at stvcoalition@santanvalley.com or call 480-525-3562 if you need assistance.

notMYkid was founded in 2000, and is dedicated to educating kids, parents, schools and communities about issues kids face including substance abuse, eating disorders, depression and more. Information is available on the website www.notMYkid.org  to educate parents about warning signs and symptoms and to empower them to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies. In 2007, notMYkid provided direct programming for over 100,000 students in Arizona.

For more information to media representatives call Kostas Kalaitzidis at 520 866 6699 or 520 709 1333 or email at Kostas.kalaitzidis@co.pinal.az.us or Sheri George at 480-318-0022

The next meeting of the San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition

The next meeting is on August 27th, 2012, from 6:30-7:30, at the SRP Eagle Conference Center, located at 3735 E. Combs Rd., San Tan Valley, Az. 85140.

Agenda

The major topic on the agenda is: What project(s) do we want to pursue next?

The meeting will also feature a 15-minute suicide prevention presentation, by Nicole Luciani of Cempatico Behavioral Healthcare organization.

Contact Info