Local coalition tells school board vaping, fentanyl and opioids are the focus of new federal grant

Mike Sharno, director of the Fountain Hills Coalition, told the Fountain Hills Unified School Governing Board that the group is rebranded as “Protect Our Youth” and is using a new federal Drug‑Free Communities grant to target nicotine vaping, marijuana concentrates and opioids among local youth.

The coalition’s presentation, given during the board’s informational reports, described 13 years of local prevention work and the coalition’s use of the Arizona Youth Survey to guide programming. “We are a 5 0 one(three) and right now we are in, year 1 of our third federal grant, a drug free communities grant that's run through the CDC at this point in time,” Sharno said. He noted an uptick in e‑cigarette use in recent survey waves and said the group has shifted resources to address vaping.

Sharno outlined specific outreach efforts the coalition has mounted in schools and the community, including curricula for middle and high school students, 40 awareness events, newsletters and town‑hall forums. He said the coalition has reached roughly 1,500 students over three years through school programming and that recent overdose reports have increased the group’s emphasis on opioids.

The coalition has begun Narcan distribution and wider education: “You can get it at the fire stations, Chamber of Commerce, no questions asked,” Sharno said, urging residents to call 911 first in suspected overdoses. He also warned parents about social‑media drug markets: “There’s a new drug dealer in town. It’s, you know, your kid's cell phone.”

Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the coalition’s school partnerships. Superintendent Jagodinsky said principals and staff have cooperated with the coalition’s work and that some programs already are integrated at school sites.

What happens next: Sharno said an evaluator is compiling recent Arizona Youth Survey results; the coalition will continue school‑based education, parent outreach and local Narcan availability. Board members did not take action on the presentation but welcomed further coordination with district staff.