‘Don’t Meth With Yuma’

Grant enables continued efforts to raise drug awareness

Thanks to a grant, the city is sending a clear message: “Don’t Meth With Yuma.”

The city government and police department have been collaborating on an an time th amphetamine and anti-heroin educational awareness campaign, thanks in part to a $15,220 award from the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Launched under Mayor Doug Nicholls’ leadership in 2015, the city continues efforts to educate residents of the greater Yuma area about the dangers of drug addiction and resources that can help those needing treatment.

The city kicked off the “Don’t Meth With Yuma” campaign by challenging community leaders, stakeholders and a variety of organizations to collaborate on future strategies to educate Yuma residents and raise awareness.

Since receiving the grant, the city, police department and Ameri-Corps have raised awareness through advertising on billboards and in theaters; by distributing English and Spanish educational pamphlets; and by filming and producing a video on the methamphetamine addiction problem and resources that exist to connect Yuma residents with treatment options.

Additionally, the campaign acknowledges that it takes an entire community to address a problem of this caliber and aims to bring all of Yuma together to try to prevent drug addiction through education.

More information on the initiative and how to take action can be found at www. unitedforyuma.com.

Community stakeholders were engaged from the following sectors/areas: political (i.e. area mayors, Yuma County Board of Supervisors, other elected officials); tribal councils; public safety and law enforcement; nonprofit; medical/healthcare; treatment; news/media; private local businesses; and education.

More information on the Tohono O’odham Nation, a federally recognized tribe with nearly 30,000 members in southwest Arizona, can be found at http://www.tonation-nsn.gov.