Navajo County Coalition Against Drug Abuse Coordinator Debe Campbell recently received a scholarship to attend the 19th Annual Leadership Forum from the national Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), in Washington, DC. Incorporated in four-day set of intensive workshops, training and informational sessions on drug trends and coalition best practices, was a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill.  

Campbell had the opportunity for a private, one-on-one visit with Arizona District 1 Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick in her capitol House office. Campbell shared with Kirkpatrick facts and figures about Navajo County drug abuse. The pair discussed the economic impact on law enforcement, education and the absence of substance abuse treatment facilities in the county. The Congresswoman pledged to work with the Coalition toward any opportunities that might arise.

Joining a 25-member-strong delegation from Maricopa County, Campbell visited with Arizona Senator Jon Kyl’s Legislative Aide Thomas Humphrey and Arizona Senator John McCain’s Legislative Correspondent Morgan Macdonald. After meeting Macdonald, Sen. McCain greeted and shook hands with the coalition lobbyists, including Campbell.  

Congresswomen Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-34th/CA) and Mary Bono Mack (R-45th/CA) addressed the Arizona delegation and other conference goers, encouraging endorsement and support of the Support 21 Act of 2009 legislation to combat underage drinking, which they co-sponsor. The Arizona delegation took this initiative to the Arizona legislators, along with requests for supporting addition of substance abuse prevention as a component of healthcare reform and continued appropriation for state grant apportions of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities, federal Drug Free Communities programs, the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute, Weed and Seed grants and other Office of National Drug Control Policy operations and funding.

Documentation and information from the CADCA Forum will be available on the Coalition’s website from March 1 at:  www.navajocountydrugproject.com .  For other inquiries, contact navajocountydrugproject@gmail.com