M.A.S.H. is back

Like the long-running TV series, the M.A.S.H. Coalition is alive and well, and it wants you to become a part of addressing substance abuse prevention in the Maricopa area.

Founded in May 2006, the M.A.S.H. (Maricopa, Ak-Chin, Stanfield, Hidden Valley) Anti-Substance Abuse Coalition exists for non-profit community service. Its mission is to provide resources, promote citizen involvement and create innovative ways to prevent and reduce substance abuse, particularly underage drinking.

The coalition has a new coordinator, Leonard “Tad” Roberts, a long-time Pinal County resident with a background in education, counseling, psychology and criminal justice. Roberts recently retired as a member of the Arizona State Board of Executive Clemency.

Kirsten Page-Burrell is the chairman of the coalition, and JoAnne Pinto from Against Abuse, Inc. is the project director for the coalition’s recent, federal Drug-Free Communities Program grant. Funds in the amount of $125,000 have been awarded to the coalition and are available each year, renewable for five years.

Substance abuse prevention is both ongoing and an essential task, to which the M.A.S.H. Coalition is completely dedicated.

Who makes up the coalition? Volunteers. Parents, grandparents, educators, interested community members are all invited to be a part of the coalition.

The first, re-organizational M.A.S.H. meeting will be held on Monday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Prevention Center at Maricopa Wells Middle School, 45725 W. Honeycutt Ave.

For additional information, contact Roberts at [email protected] or at 520-840-1375.  
                                                 
Photo by Joyce Hollis