Small Town News

Abuse coalition needs translators

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Abuse of prescribed drugs becoming top concern for coalition

The Greater Sedona Substance Abuse Coalition met at the Sedona Public Library to discuss the problems of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction on Aug. 26.

Formed by Mayor Rob Adams earlier this year, the coalition is working to bring awareness of the extent of drug and alcohol abuse in the area, to develop prevention and intervention resources and to offer treatment and recovery programs.

The coalition is comprised of representatives from several public agencies in addition to private clinicians.

Harvey Grady of Cornucopia is currently serving as chair.

Those attending the meeting included Sedona Police Chief Joe Vernier, Merilee Fowler of Yavapai County MATForce, Sandy Cravens of Bashas' pharmacy, Dee Zenk of Yavapai County, Cathy Bissett who is a clinical psychologist, Raymond Johnson of Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority, Timothy Buzzard of Unity Church in Sedona and Florence Rosiello who is a psychotherapist.

There were also several private individuals who attended.

Grady advised the coalition of several community events offering residents a chance to become educated on the subject.

MATForce will have a booth at the upcoming Sedona Community Fair on Saturday, Sept. 19, offering written materials to all who are interested.

There is also an ongoing selection of written materials at the Sedona Public Library.

One of the growing problems in the Verde Valley, according to Grady, is the abuse of prescription drugs.

To alleviate some of the potential for problems, there are two "Dump the Drugs" opportunities for everyone who has outdated or unneeded drugs they want to dispose of with no questions asked.

The first dump is sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care and takes place at the Sedona Community Center on Friday, Oct. 2, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Participants can drive in, drop off and drive out -- no questions asked by the Sedona Police Department which will oversee the operation.

The second drop-off will be held at the pharmacy in Weber's IGA, co-sponsored by Sedona Winds in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Memory Walk in the Village of Oak Creek on Monday, Oct. 19.

In terms of treatment and recovery, the group determined during its discussions that one of the critical needs in Sedona is the creation of options for a particular range of socioeconomic groups.

According to Buzzard, there currently exists help for people with no money and help for people who are well-off, but little for the folks in the center.

He stressed the need for sober living environments for men, for women alone and for women with children.

In addition, he prompted others in the coalition to identify treatment alternatives beyond those referred to as 12-step programs.

Bissett informed the coalition of the need for translators so that printed educational materials can be bilingual and also so that non-English speaking people undergoing therapy can be accompanied by a translator.

While English speakers who are fluent in Spanish are needed the most, Bissett said there's a clear need for those who can speak Vietnamese, Chinese and Russian as well.

At present, the top four resources in the Verde Valley for those seeking to recover are Oxford House, the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, Mingus Center and private clinicians.

According to MATForce, there are a number of helpful national Web sites as well, including: Parents the Anti-Drug at www.theantidrug.com; Partnership for a Drug-Free America at Www.drugfree.com; Partnership for a Drug-Free America-AZ at www.partnerupaz.org; and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at www.niaaa.nih. gov.

The next meeting of the coalition will be held at the library on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Members of the public with an interest in contributing to the discussions are welcome to attend.

Susan Johnson can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 129, or e-mail sjohnson @arsonnewspapers.com



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© 2009 Sedona Red Rock News Sedona, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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