Way Out West Coalition

CURRENT NEWS

May 2025

CANCELLED – Family Event | Don’t Stay Stuck

EVENT CANCELLED! Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must cancel this event. We sincerely apologize.

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April 2025

DEA Drug Take-Back Event | April 26th

We’re hosting another DEA Drug Take-Back Event on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 from 10:00 AM—2:00 PM! Location Buckeye Police Department 21699 W Yuma Rd Buckeye, AZ 85326 Google Maps directions to event: https://goo.gl/maps/sLJN8U4H6dRPYZx77 PLEASE READ: Do NOT bring needles, sharps, glass, inhalers or liquids

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December 2024

Upcoming Fentanyl Forum

The Way Out West Coalition, in collaboration with key community partners, is hosting an essential Fentanyl Forum on January 22 at 6:30 PM at the Palo Verde Education Center in Buckeye, AZ. This impactful event is designed to educate, empower, and engage the community in addressing the growing fentanyl crisis affecting our community. Why This...

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November 2024

Drug Take Back Success

The Buckeye Police Department, National Guard’s Counter Drug Task Force, and the Way Out West Coalition had partnered up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to provide a Drug Take Back Event on October 26, 2024. It was a success! We were able to collect 16 lbs. of expired & unused medications from the community.

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October 2024

DEA Drug Take-Back Event Oct 26th

We’re hosting another DEA Drug Take-Back Event on Saturday, Oct 26th from 10:00 AM—2:00 PM! Location: Buckeye Police Department 21699 W Yuma Rd Buckeye, AZ 85326 Google Maps directions to event: https://goo.gl/maps/sLJN8U4H6dRPYZx77 PLEASE READ: Do NOT bring needles, sharps, glass, inhalers or liquids

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October 2024

Parents in the Know – Verrado Event

Join us for a riveting event where we dive deep into the newest trends in drug dealing and uncover the secrets that could be affecting your kids. This is your chance to get informed, ask questions, and gain valuable insights that could make a difference. Don’t miss out! Empower yourself with knowledge and become a...

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CURRENT BLOG

What Is a Substance Use Prevention Coalition?

Posted on 2/3/26

When people hear the word prevention, they often think of assemblies, flyers, or programs aimed at stopping substance use before it starts. While those efforts are important, true prevention goes much deeper. At its core, prevention is about building strong, connected communities where young people are supported, informed, and equipped to make healthy decisions. That’s...

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Addiction in the West Valley: A Local Family’s Perspective

Posted on 9/30/25

A local West Valley family shared their deeply personal story of walking through their loved one’s struggle with addiction. Her name was Lorena, a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, friend—a person who was loved by many. The reality of addiction is that it settles in with little warning, allowing many signs to be brushed off as...

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Alert: Carfentanil Resurgence in Arizona

Posted on 8/31/25

Most people have now heard of fentanyl — and far too many have experienced its devastating impact firsthand. Here in Arizona and across the nation, fentanyl has torn through communities with staggering force. It’s 100 times more powerful than morphine and has become the deadliest drug America has ever faced. From 2021 through late 2024,...

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Why the Minimum Age for Substances is 21: The Science Behind the Law

Posted on 3/5/25

Have you ever wondered why you must be 21 to buy alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana? It’s not just a random rule—there’s solid science behind it. Let’s dive into why this age limit is so important for protecting young brains. Your brain keeps developing well into your mid-20s. The prefrontal cortex, which helps with decision-making and...

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Parents in the Know

Posted on 6/14/24

Social media is a part of everyday life; in fact, you might be reading this on a social media platform right now. As adults, we possess the ability to choose what we want to engage with in our lives, an ability honed through personal experiences, relationships, and our evolving vision of what we want our...

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The Do Not Do List

Posted on 1/13/24

As the new year unfolds, we find ourselves immersed in the timeless tradition of seeking a fresh start—a cultural practice that has spanned over 200 years in our Western society. Many Americans embrace the spirit of self-improvement, often manifested in the form of New Year’s Resolutions. As the calendar pages turn, we must introspectively inquire:...

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