A win-win, tax credit plus assistance to substance abuse coalition

Contributed Photo: Graham County’s first Sober Living House is being constructed in Safford thanks to the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition and donors.

Contributed Article

SAFFORD – The Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition is a primary prevention coalition that was established in 2003 as a cross-system substance abuse coalition.  We are now a nonprofit whose mission is “A substance abuse prevention community coalition that provides resources, support, and education to the community through prevention and intervention to reduce substance abuse with a primary focus on reducing youth substance use.” Our vision is “Building a healthy and vibrant drug-free community”

Contributed Photo: Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition Executive Director Kathy Grimes, center, stands with youth advocates.

The inaugural Dump the Drugs prescription drug takeback project began in Graham County in 2005. Through this program, we partner with local law enforcement agencies and offer a resource for our community to properly dispose of unused prescription drugs to reduce misuse/abuse.  We offer prevention services for all Graham County residents which include evidence-based programs, parenting programs, trauma-informed prevention, and a youth leadership program.  Some of the substance abuse education classes we provide include the risks of underage drinking, risks of marijuana use, opioid use/abuse, vaping, psychostimulants, etc. 

We also have four subcommittees which include law enforcement, youth, tribal, and addiction and recovery.  Through our addiction and recovery subcommittee, we are in the process of building the first Sober Living Home in Graham County.  This home will provide housing for individuals who are currently in rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol who are working towards finding employment or education leading to a healthy drug-free life. 

Additionally, through this subcommittee, we also provide a reentry program for individuals who are being released from local, state, and federal prisons and are returning to Graham County.  These individuals are matched with a community coach who assists the individuals with obtaining needed resources which includes a state ID, housing, and other resources.  Recently, we were awarded the opportunity to provide Naloxone to community members.

The Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition is a member of the Graham Greenlee Tax Credit Coalition (GGTCC).  The GGTCC promotes the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit of up to $800 for those filing jointly, or $400 if filing individually.  You can receive this tax credit on your Arizona state income tax return by donating to a qualifying charitable organization.  To learn more about this opportunity, and to view the full list of participating organizations in our area, visit www.grahamgreenleetcc.org.  The GGTCC is administered by the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley and can be reached at 520-439-0595.