MATForce, the Yavapai County Substance Abuse Coalition, has been named a "2009 Coalition of Excellence" by CADCA, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. The Coalition of Excellence Award is given annually to coalitions that have successfully reduced substance abuse in their community through evidence-based strategies and practices. MATForce is one of three coalitions nationwide to be recognized with this award for 2009.
In the congratulatory letter, Retired Army Major General Arthur T. Dean, CADCA Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, said, "The selection of MATForce for this award is an indication of the tremendous efforts put forth by your coalition to address local substance abuse problems. We are very proud of your accomplishments." CADCA annually selects outstanding coalitions based on a set of ten measurable objectives in the areas of assessment, capacity building, program implementation and evaluation.
MATForce Co-Chair and County Attorney Sheila Polk said, "MATForce and its hundreds of community coalition members are greatly honored by this award. Our hard work has paid off. In two short years, Yavapai County has seen a dramatic decrease in the use, availability and sale of methamphetamine in our communities. This reduction is directly attributable to our countywide focus on reducing methamphetamine and its effects."
According to Polk, Yavapai County has experienced an unprecedented drop in methamphetamine offenses, violent crimes committed while under the influence of methamphetamine, and property crimes associated with methamphetamine such as identify theft, trafficking in stolen property and forgery. Felony offenses in Yavapai County have decreased by 23 percent between FY07 and 09 and continue to drop. The number of methamphetamine and dangerous drug offenses has also dramatically decreased from 798 offenses in FY06 to 424 in FY09.
Cottonwood City Manager Doug Bartosh, MATForce Co-Chair, has noted a measurable decrease of methamphetamine on the streets in Yavapai County. "It is a good thing when our narcotics cops tell us they no longer see meth on a daily basis. MATForce played a central role in this successful eradication effort."
The Coalition of Excellence Award recognizes MATForce for its success in reducing the demand for illegal substances and increasing opportunities for treatment of addiction. MATForce, a non-profit coalition, was founded in 2006, and is a successful public-private partnership that initially focused on the skyrocketing methamphetamine problem in Yavapai County. Since 2006, MATForce has expanded its mission to include all illegal substances, including underage drinking. MATForce recently conducted its annual strategic planning review with over forty community partners.
MATForce will be recognized during CADCA's 20th Annual National Leadership Forum in Maryland in February 2010. MATForce Co-Chairs Polk and Bartosh will accept the award on behalf of MATForce and will provide information about the successful efforts of MATForce at the conference to other coalitions. Approximately 2,500 coalition members from around the country will be in attendance.
CADCA is the nation's leading drug abuse prevention organization, representing more than 5,000 community anti-drug groups. CADCA's National Coalition Institute was established by Congress to increase the capacity and effectiveness of community anti-drug coalitions. The mission of CADCA is to build and strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences, and special events. The Institute helps coalitions achieve measurable results, improve evaluation methods and implement evidence-based practices. For more information about CADCA, visit www.cadca.org.
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, December 03, 2009
Article comment by:
Julie Larson
Congratulations to MatForce! Sheila Polk and Doug Bartosh have been inspiring leaders and the members of the committee are committed to making a difference in the Verde Valley. This is a great honor and I am delighted and proud that MatForce has been recognized for this award.
