MATFORCE's Youth Poster Contest is an annual event held to raise awareness among youth about the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office assists in promoting this contest each year. The grand prize winning posters will be featured on MATFORCE substance abuse awareness materials throughout 2021.

Grand Prize Winners:

• Milayna Freeman, age 10, Camp Verde Elementary School, K-6th Grade
• Abel Campos, age 19, Camp Verde High School, 7th -12th Grade

Age Category Winners:

• Sharlette Royer, age 6, Taylor Hicks Elementary School, Prescott, Age 5/6
• Trevyn Alldred, age 8, Taylor Hicks Elementary School, Prescott, Age 7/8
• Kalyn Lockard, age 10, Homeschool, Age 9/10
• Sierra Rositas, age 11, Coyote Springs Elementary School, Prescott Valley, Age 11/12
• Brenna Hassen, age 13, Prescott Classical Academy, Age 13/14
• Isaiah Hicks, age 15, Camp Verde High School, Age 15/16
• Emmalee Bueler, age 17, Camp Verde High School, Age 17/18

Detectives from Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT) have been investigating several cases involving pills containing fentanyl that mimic common medications like aspirin and Xanax.

It is important to remember that even a small dose of fentanyl can cause the user to overdose or die and such incidents have increased in Yavapai County in recent months. The pills being found in the community have no visible indication as to their contents. Through testing, many of the pills have been confirmed to contain valeryl fentanyl, which is a fentanyl analog. Varying fentanyl analogs are often 10-100x more powerful than standard medical-grade fentanyl.

Col. Paul Aguirre shares the moment the opioid crisis struck his family

In November of 2019, the Aguirre family received the call no one wants. The 20-year-old family member they loved so much had died, in his dorm room, at ASU. Colonel Paul Aguirre shares the story of how the life of his young nephew was taken too soon. Colonel Aguirre is with the Arizona National Guard and has proudly served in the U.S. Military for more than 33 years.

Did you know that one in 30 youth ages 12 through 17 has misused over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine for its dextromethorphan (DXM) ingredient — and one in five young adults has misused a prescription drug?

Help raise awareness of the dangers of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine and prescription (Rx) drug misuse during National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month (NMAAM) throughout October.

Find out more at PreventMedAbuse.org

Yavapai Stronger Together

It's important to remember that asking for help is a normal part of life. If you are struggling with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and you need help, there is help available. Call 1 (877) 756-4090 and speak with someone confidentially today.