YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Anti-Drug Coalition hosted its first public awareness event today, creating important conversations to keep children safe from fentanyl.

Locals gathered at Yuma City Hall to better understand fentanyl, the dangers it poses to the community, and what it means for local families

“Fentanyl doesn’t discriminate between your age, socioeconomic status, skin color, or where you live,” said Yuma County juvenile probation superintendent Henry Gonzalez.

Yuma County had 33 fatal overdoses in 2018, rising to 48 in 2019 and 61 and 60 in 2020 and 2021.

But the Yuma County Health Department says fatal overdoses fell last year thanks to new efforts.

“Thanks to our efforts, we hope to reduce overdose cases to 38 by 2022,” said Ryan Butcher of the Yuma County Health Department.

Representatives from multiple agencies, including local school leaders, are now joining forces to combat Yuma’s drug abuse, addiction and overdose deaths.

“People say they never thought this would happen to their children. We must protect them the best we can,” said Yuma Union High School District Superintendent Tim Brienza.

Superintendent Brienza says this is why they have Narkans on each high school campus.

Yuma County locals have also been able to better understand how fentanyl is affecting our loved ones.

“This is our community, they are all our children, they are people who care about our children. We know a lot more than we think, so it’s important for us as leaders, parents, and health care professionals to sit down and talk to whoever we are, and we can all do our best to: You’re responsible, have that conversation,” said Yuma City Councilman Carol Smith.