NEW SCHOOL BUS DECALS DISCOURAGE DRUG ABUSE

More than 170 school buses in the Prescott area are displaying new
signage, aiming to increase awareness of the effects of drug and
alcohol abuse.

MATForce, the Yavapai County Substance Abuse Coalition, is sponsoring
the school bus displays on Prescott, Humboldt, Mayer and Chino Valley
Unified School District buses.

"The eye-catching signage will deliver a variety of substance abuse
messages designed for students, families and people of all ages," said
Kevin Kapp, superintendent of the Prescott Unified School District and
MATForce supporter. "We want to help remind families and caregivers to
educate themselves and to talk with their children about the dangerous
effects of substance abuse."

The new school bus decals coincide with the April Substance Awareness
Month campaign. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America,
if youths can get through their teenage years without trying drugs,
they are likely to never use drugs as an adult.

Pat Dallabetta, Mayer Unified School District superintendent, said, "I
think it is important that we are able to help with what I consider to
be a very serious problem. I am very pleased to be able to work with
MATForce and get the message out to both our students and the community."

"We are pleased and excited to be able to support MATForce in getting
this important message out to all," concurred Duane Noggle, Chino
Valley Unified School District superintendent.

"It is important that we take advantage of every opportunity to inform
the community of the devastation and danger that drugs inflict on the
young people in this community. It is awesome to see that the people
in our area care about our youth," said Michael Kile, president of the
Chino Valley High School student council.

Students can see the new signage as they enter and leave buses. The
community will also see it as the buses travel the streets and
highways of western Yavapai County.

Dr. Henry Schmitt, superintendent of Humboldt Unified School District,
said, "These bus decals will remind our students, their families and
others in our community that substance abuse of drugs or alcohol is a
serious problem that we need to talk about."

MATForce appreciates these local school districts and their
superintendents for partnering in this important effort to heighten
substance abuse awareness. By working together, MATForce and schools
can continue to take the steps to build a healthy community for our
children.

"I am so excited that the schools have stepped forward in this very
visible way to help get the message out to our community," commented
Sheila Polk, Yavapai County attorney. "It is an unprecedented
partnership and the schools deserve a ton of credit for all they have
done to make this happen."

She added that Yavapai County continues to lead the way for the state
in our grassroots efforts to combat substance abuse. "I am
particularly pleased that our schools have stepped forward to help
heighten public awareness in such a vital and visible way," Polk said.
"I love the fact that the schools have partnered with MATForce to make
a difference."