General Purpose:
The objectives of this Coalition will be to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and raise community awareness of substance abuse through education. Implement ongoing practices for METH and substance abuse prevention, treatment and after care programs.

Goal:
Minimize the staggering destructive impact of METH, and other substance abuse, in our community.

Mission:
To organize and establish a comprehensive representation of relevant parties from private, public and non-profit sectors, to develop a partnership through advocacy, education, collaboration, and support of best practices to effectively address METH, and other substance abuse.

Kingman’s 2nd Annual “Walk Away from Drugs” a huge success
“2000 plus” is the official number of people who turned out for Kingman’s 2nd Annual “Walk Away from Drugs” event, held Wednesday, October 1st , 2008. The event was ruled a huge success. There were three starting locations where people met prior to starting their walks. The meeting locations were at Smith’s parking lot, Rt. 66 Plaza (corner of Rt. 66 & Airfield Ave) and the vacant field east of Mother Road Harley Davidson. Our community showed outstanding support at last years Tri-City Challenge with 1500 participants; however, this year we surpassed that amount with more than 2000 members of our community showing up and walking from the different locations. We had the Mayor, State and Federal officials, Law Enforcement, Fire Department, Local Business People, Schools, Church Groups, Parents, Grandparents and young adults come out and join us in our fight to rid the Kingman area community and the State of Arizona of this terrible drug. This goes to prove that our community is working to run METH out of our area.

METH OR ANY OTHER KIND OF DRUG is not welcome in our community!!

Guests of Honor:
AZ Attorney General Terry Goddard, United States Attorney Diane Humetewa, AZ Meth Project Director Amy Rex, Kingman Mayor John Salem and Mohave County Dist. 1 Supervisor Pete Byers.

The event is sponsored by:
Kingman Area Chapter of the Arizona METH Community Coalition; Kingman Police Department; Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce; City of Kingman; Kingman Regional Medical Center; Monica J Busch Investments; Mohave Mental Health; Taco Bell–Krystal Burge; Mohave State Bank; and other local businesses.

Photos attached:

• 1st Pic: From left to right: Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheehan, AZ Attorney General Terry Goddard, Kingman Police Chief Bob DeVries, Kingman City Manager Jack Kramer and Kingman Mayor John Salem leading the way.

• 2nd Pic: One of the three groups begins the walk.

• 3rd Pic: KPD Captain Scott Wright during the event.

• 4th Pic: United States Attorney Diane Humetewa speaking during event, while Mayor John Salem looks on.

• 5th Pic: AZ Meth Project Director Amy Rex during the event.

• 6th Pic: KPD Captain Scott Wright awarding an Ipod to young winner.
   

Kingman Area Chapter of the Meth Coalition receives Governors Award
The Governor’s Office has issued 6 awards statewide to Arizona Community Coalitions for Excellence in Collaboration.   Two of the six awards went to two Kingman area coalitions.  

On September 10, the Kingman Area Chapter of the Arizona Anti Meth Community Coalition received recognition from the Governor’s Office for “Outstanding Arizona Community Coalitions Excellence in Collaboration Award”.

The award was in recognition of the groups outreach to the communities outside of Kingman, including Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City.  The creation of a county-wide coalition demonstrated this group’s interest in including other community coalitions and the group’s willingness to support coalition development in those areas.  In addition, this group has partnered with the local alcohol coalition, the Kingman Coalition for Successful Youth Development to ensure that all substance abuse prevention efforts are coordinated.

The Kingman Coalition for Successful Youth Development is the second area group to receive an award.

Vice Chairman - John Taylor

Secretary - Monica Busch

Treasurer - Susan Williams