In an effort to reduce the impact on the environment and to keep unprescribed medications out of the hands of youth, COPE Coalition partnered with Golden Gate Community Center/Arizona’s Children Association, Cricket Pavillion, Phoenix Police, U.S. D.E.A.(Phoenix Office), TERROS and several community agencies and local businesses to host the "Medication Collection & Disposal Day". The outcome was very successful!

People from Phoenix and surrounding communities, such as Surprise and Sun City, dropped off a variety of unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, including painkillers, cancer treatment drugs, nitroglycerine, cold medication, ointments, patches, diabetes medication, vitamin supplements, pet medications, antibiotics, and more. Approximately 250-300 pounds of drugs were turned in.

Maryvale Police Precinct Community Action Officers were on site to take possession of the narcotics. All of the medications collected will be safely disposed of by the Police Department. Volunteers ranged from community members to pharmacists from Cigna and CVS Pharmacy who gave of their time to make this event successful. In addition, kudos to the seven kids at the Jerry Colangelo Branch of the Boys & Girls Club for their creative, winning entries in the art poster contest; Wal-Mart awarded gift certificates to each child.

"The most moving visitors were several widow/widowers that had not known what to do with all their spouses meds that they took and who were glad to have a place to bring it." -Phyllis Habib, Director, Golden Gate Community Center

Maryvale Youth in Action Peace Festival

September 21, 2009 at El Oso Park, Phoenix

Maryvale Youth in Action is one of COPE Coalition's active youth groups. They seek to improve their community and health of their peers through drug and alcohol-free alternative activities. They decided to host the Peace Festival as a way to highlight local artists and to promote positive social activities for youth within the community. It was called the Peace Festival because it was held on the Universal Peace Day. The youth really did a great job planning & organizing for this event. The entertainment component of the festival included an open mic where youth were given the opportunity to express their desire to lead drug-free lives through different means of artistic expression: rap, break dancing, drawing, singing, etc. A very special guest, Arizona-based internationally renowned artist Zarco Guerrero performed his acclaimed Face to Face one man play. This is a play designed to show the errors of stereotyping individuals based on appearance, culture, personality, and past. Members from Volviendo a Vivir closed the event with messages of their personal experience with drugs and alcohol, their recovery, and their new affirmation to promote prevention. The event also hosted a health & awareness fair in which several agencies attended. The whole event drew approximately 400 people from the community.

COPE Coalition Alcohol-Free Quinceanera

September 5th, 2009 at Carl Hayden Community High School

On Saturday, September 5th, COPE Coalition hosted the 1st Annual Alcohol-Free Quinceañera at Carl Hayden Community High School for 13 young ladies. The focus of the event was to demonstrate that a Quinceañera can be celebrated successfully without the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is the drug that is abused most by youth in Arizona. Youth that start drinking in their early teens are much more likely to become involved with illegal drugs, as well as increase their likelihood of becoming an alcoholic as an adult. read more

Past Events & Prevention News