The Fountain Hills Protect Our Youth Coalition has announced the launch of the “Protect Our Game” campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and preventing substance misuse among student-athletes, with a particular focus on the dangers of fentanyl.

This campaign is made possible through the support of the Town of Fountain Hills, according to a press release, utilizing their allocation of opioid settlement funds, which Coalition leadership said is “a clear demonstration of the town's commitment to protecting the health and safety of its youth.”

Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, poses a severe threat to individuals due to its high potential for misuse with potentially fatal consequences, the release continued. With National Fentanyl Awareness Day on Aug. 21, the Coalition announced this initiative specifically designed to educate young athletes, their families and coaches about the dangers of this drug and others.

“The ‘Protect Our Game’ campaign, launched in July at Fountain Hills High School, is designed to engage parents, coaches, and student-athletes by providing essential tools and knowledge to make informed choices about substance use, health and its impact on athletic performance,” according to the release. “The coalition’s goal is to extend this message to families with athletes throughout the community, creating a unified effort to encourage students to remain drug-free. It also equips parents and coaches with the resources needed to have meaningful conversations with their athletes about making healthy choices.”

According to Tammy Bell, executive director of the Coalition, the success of the Protect Our Game campaign is underpinned by the support of the Town of Fountain Hills.

“This effort would not be possible without the support from the town staff, who proposed the allocation of opioid settlement funds to the Coalition,” Bell said. “The unanimous support from the Town Council underscores their belief in our mission, and we are immensely grateful for their contribution.

In recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, the Coalition invites the community to stay informed and utilize the resources available on their website at fhcoalition.org. Families in need of assistance are invited to contact Fountain Hills Recovery Center at 888-549-4037. For emergencies, call 911 immediately. Tammy Bell can be reached at director@fhcoalition.org.