DrugFreeAz.org Hosts Breakfast to Celebrate Progress in Drug Prevention
(Phoenix, Ariz.) – More than 100 community leaders from the Valley attended DrugFreeAz.org’s first-ever “Progress, Promise, Passion” community breakfast, sponsored by General Dynamics, GoDaddy and Snell & Wilmer. Held on May 29 at the Phoenix Country Club, the event raised $20,000 for the organization and highlighted important information regarding prescription drug use in our state.
Leslie Bloom, CEO of DrugFreeAz.org, and Tom Ambrose, the organization’s founding chair, emceed the event which discussed current drug trends, research and details about the on-going efforts, goals and progress of DrugFreeAz.org.
“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to share our mission with such influential leaders who help continue to make positive change in the community,” said Bloom. “We know how important it is to our community to continue to shine a spotlight on these issues facing our kids today.”
Bloom, citing the most recent Arizona Youth Survey, said that although the organization is seeing a decrease in prescription drug and alcohol use year-over-year since 2008, the organization remains committed to keeping this issue at the forefront.
“Even with the declining numbers in prescription drug and alcohol use there is still work to be done,” said Ambrose. “Marijuana use has seen an increase and new drugs, such as Nbomb, are introduced to our children daily. We must continue our mission to prevent and reduce use through community education and awareness.”
Also in attendance was Mike Frazier, chief of police for the City of Surprise and incoming president for the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, and April Rovero, founder of the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, who shared how prescription drug abuse has impacted their families.
“As community leaders we have the opportunity to help initiate change in our communities,” said Frazier. “We can’t arrest our way out of the drug problem. Being able to educate others and provide resources is critical to raising awareness and keeping our communities substance-free.”
Rovero shared her personal story of losing her college-aged son to prescription drug abuse. Her experience led her to found the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, an organization whose purpose is to educate and create awareness for parents and students about the danger of prescription drugs.
“No parent should have to lose their child to something so avoidable as a drug overdose,” said Rovero. “I’m impressed with DrugFreeAZ’s programs and staff and hope that more key influencers will get involved to help them build on the progress they’ve already made.”
For more information on DrugFreeAz.org or to find out about parent workshops available to parents visit www.DrugFreeAz.org or call (602) 264-5700.
About DrugFreeAz.org:
DrugFreeAz.org – The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Arizona Affiliate is a 501(c) (3) non-profit statewide organization with a volunteer board of directors. Their mission is to prevent and reduce youth drug and alcohol use through community education and awareness by providing parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, educators and others with educational tools, information and resources.
For more information, visit www.DrugFreeAz.org.
