In an effort to tackle the devastating impact of opioid use among the youth, the City of Mesa has joined forces with the nonprofit organization The Be Kind People Project, launching an educational campaign targeting students, educators, and parents within the Mesa Public Schools and other local institutions, in a report from MesaNow.org. Named "Be Aware. Be Strong. Be Healthy™ Mesa," the campaign is financially backed by the City's share of national opioid settlement funds, with the goal of building resilience in the younger population to better resist drug and opioid temptations.
Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman expressed the uniqueness of the program stating "This is a one-of-a-kind effort that invests in prevention by reaching children where they are," adding that the initiative sets out to bolster the fundamental health and strength of the community's future generations, "By building confidence and resiliency early, we are strengthening the foundation for a healthier and stronger Mesa for generations to come," Freeman told MesaNow.org. Mesa's approach to the opioid crisis, which has so far secured $4.7 million from post-litigation funds, also involves a $1 million community grant program that allocated resources to seven organizations including Jacob's Hope, benefitting opioid-impacted newborns, the Mayor's proactive stance and the allocation of these funds underscore the City's prioritization of prevention, education, and youth support.
The educational campaign aims to complement the existing community grants program, which stresses Mesa's commitment to confronting these health challenges by focusing on the young. "The opioid epidemic continues to devastate families and communities throughout Arizona," Marcia Meyer, Founder and CEO of The Be Kind People Project, declared, asserting that the remedy for such widespread suffering demands audacious collaborations and inventive solutions, "By reaching children and families early with programs that build confidence, kindness and resilience, we're equipping Mesa's students to make safe, healthy choices and lead positive lives - in school and far beyond," Meyer affirmed in a statement obtained by MesaNow.org.
Mesa's decision to engage The Be Kind People Project will bring forth evidence-based, age-appropriate content centering on healthy practices and emotional fortitude aiming to supply the youth with better protective mechanisms against future substance abuse cases "We are deeply grateful to the City of Mesa for its continued support in helping our schools educate students about the serious dangers of opioid misuse," Renee Parker, Director of Community Partnerships for Mesa Public Schools, iterated, highlighting the combined effort and expertise of The Be Kind People Project, anticipated to yield significant outreach and influence within the student body via engaging public service announcements, "Through our partnership and the talent of The Be Kind People Project, we will be able to provide engaging public service announcements that resonate with students and encourage safe, informed choices," Parker told MesaNow.org.
Mesa, standing as the second-largest receiver of opioid settlement funds in Maricopa County, is putting these funds to tactical use tackling not only the immediate crisis but also forging lasting changes. The City is set to introduce The Be Kind People Project to the Mesa community formally at an event on October 22 at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, inviting media representatives to witness the launch firsthand, where they can RSVP through an email to [email protected], as mentioned in the MesaNow.org announcement.
