The first step to recovery is admitting one has a problem. Over the past couple years, Fountain Hills, as a whole, has slowly begun to open it eyes to the existence of underage alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse here.

The old beliefs of “not my kids and not in this town” have begun to fade as citizens realize local children and the community are not immune to these problems.

Drugs are here. Alcohol and tobacco abuse by underage teens are here.

Parents, business employees and individuals who knowingly allow and even contribute to the delinquency of minors are here.

Now that some residents have come to terms with these facts, the second step is to act to make a change.

Many community leaders have already begun the process in the form of the Fountain Hills Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

Headed by director Carole Groux and associate Karen Bayne, the coalition held a public meeting Jan. 21 to keep building toward a reduction of illegal drug use in Fountain Hills.

Such a goal will take time, obviously, but with support coming from all directions, Groux is optimistic progress can be made.

From local business owners and school officials to law enforcement agencies, town government officials, religious and fraternal organizations, civic groups, healthcare professionals, concerned citizens, parents and more, a collective “Fountain Hills” was truly present at last week’s meeting to discuss the future and the issues of drug abuse in all its forms.

Parent Mike Vaught was on-hand at this first meeting, stating out loud what many tend to shy away from in this quiet community.

“There’s a lot going on here under the surface you just don’t see if you don’t get involved,” Vaught said. “Raising the consciousness of the town to these types of things has become critical in my mind.”

Groux agreed, stating that the prevention of drug abuse must be a community effort, as it is itself an environmental dilemma.

“Talking to your kids, giving them the facts and explaining what these substances do to their body just isn’t enough anymore,” Groux said.

School Superintendent Dr. Bill Myhr added his opinion.

“I have felt a lot of resistance from parents on this,” Myhr said. “I feel we have a bigger adult issue in this town than a student issue.”

He said some parents feel their teens drinking is a “rite of passage” for them.

Environmental

Groux went on to explain the roots of environmental strategies, which are influenced by a complex set of factors including rules and regulations, enforcement, community norms, media and accessibility.

All factors combine to create an environment where drug abuse can thrive and all must be addressed in order to get a hold on the problem.

It is to this end that the coalition was formed: to consider the environment of Fountain Hills, consider the reasons local youths pursue these practices, consider the aspects that allow such activities to take place and the consequences for their occurrence.

It’s a lengthy task, and not one expected to be carried out overnight.

Subcommittees or task forces are expected to form shortly, geared at tackling the individual tasks of providing information, educating the community, providing support, altering consequences when necessary, modifying local policies and, eventually, changing the cultural norms within Fountain Hills so that this type of behavior is no longer acceptable.

As the coalition continues its work, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Captain John Kleinheinz stated the need to draw more involvement from the community, as it will ultimately be the responsibility of said community to carry out the needed changes.

“The community needs to wake up and get involved with this,” Kleinheintz said.

“There is a silent majority ready for a reason to get active. For however many we have involved in this, there are multiple times that number out there who need to be woken up and tasked with getting the job done.”

The next step will be to devise a plan as a community and then, most importantly, to act on that plan.

According to Mayor Jay Schlum, the time to look the other way, or treat these matters as “no big deal” has passed.

Now is the time to create change.

“We need to change the norms here in Fountain Hills,” Schlum said. “People should be afraid of this. We should be embarrassed of this. And only we can change it.”

For more information or to take part in the Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, contact director Carole Groux at cgroux@mac.com.