Sedona AZ (September 19, 2014) – MATFORCE and the Greater Sedona Substance Abuse Committee invites you to help the fight against drug abuse by attending the October 1, 2014, Community Solutions Forum in Sedona. The forum will be an open and interactive discussion generating ideas to improve drug prevention, intervention, treatment and support for recovery in our community.

If you were asked whether drug or alcohol abuse creates serious problems among the youth and adults in our community, how would you answer? If you were asked what problems are related to substance abuse would you include bullying, violence, crime, child abuse, family problems, job loss, health problems and addiction?

Did you know that drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., surpassing auto accidents?  Should we all be concerned?

The 2012 Arizona Youth Survey reveals that marijuana use and underage drinking are on the rise in Yavapai County. Sadly, Yavapai County is above state and national averages in youth substance abuse.

Sedona Mayor and Chair of the Greater Sedona Substance Abuse Committee Rob Adams says, “We can’t afford to ignore these problems, especially among our very youngest citizens. I believe that almost every family has been affected by substance abuse in some way. So yes, we have problems and, yes, we need solutions. I firmly believe our drug and alcohol abuse problems can best be solved by our own community members. I would like to personally invite each and every concerned citizen to attend the upcoming MATFORCE Community Solutions Forum. Your ideas and input are vitally important to the health and safety of our community.”

Share your suggestions at the Drug Abuse Community Solutions Forum in Sedona on Wednesday, October 1, 2014, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, west Sedona. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 928-708-0100 or visit matforce.org.

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