Yavapai County News – In 2016, MATFORCE, along with over 30 other organizations, formed the Yavapai County Overdose Fatality Review Board (OFRB) with the goal of determining recommendations to prevent accidental drug overdose deaths. Each year the OFRB compiles a report outlining overall findings on the cases that have been reviewed. This year the report reviews all overdose deaths for 2023, as well as trends for all overdose deaths from 2016 -2023.
For the third year in a row, overdose deaths in our county have declined, with an 20% decrease from 2020 to 2023. Sheila Polk, MATFORCE Board of Directors Chair and Founder, shared this comment. “In a time when our nation and neighboring states are seeing crushing rates of overdose deaths, Yavapai County residents have worked together to reduce substance abuse in our communities. Together, we continue to make change.”
To find out more about the results outlined in the 2024 Annual Report, attend the report release event on Thursday, March 28th at 11:00 am. Registration is required for this free, virtual event. Visit matforce.org to register or for more information.