3 Takeaways:

• The Accelerated Learning Academy hosted the Back-to-School Safety and Wellness Fair for Salt River Elementary School students in September. 
• SRPMIC Injury Prevention Coordinator Monte Yazzie was the guest speaker.
• Plans for November’s and December’s gatherings are already being finalized.

It was that time again for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community families and guardians to ensure their students succeed while they attend Salt River Elementary School. 

On Sept. 30, Salt River Schools and the Community Relations staff of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community collaborated with the Salt River Safe Schools and Security team for the Back-to-School Safety and Wellness Fair. 

The event was held to detail the ins and outs of this year’s school year, as well as to keep parents and guardians aware of the safety precautions the school implements to ensure all students remain in a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive. 

Miranda Johnson-Moya, program manager, welcomed families while dinner was served inside the Accelerated Learning Academy cafeteria. Tara Peshlakai, school security officer, joined Johnson-Moya and provided a few words. 

“This is our first parent night of the school year,” said Peshlakai. “This is also the first time we’ve ever had a collaborative event [with Community departments] like this. We’re really excited.”

The wellness fair was partnership between the school staff and the Community. School staff members visited with families and answered questions they had regarding the school year and the upcoming fall break. 

After dinner was served, Monte Yazzie, SRPMIC Injury Prevention coordinator, conducted a presentation titled “Public Health Approach to Opioid Safety.” 

“I’m sometimes known as ‘the car seat guy,’ and that’s okay with me,” said Yazzie with a chuckle as he introduced himself. 

Yazzie specializes in vehicle occupant safety and drug abuse prevention, as well as home assessments and yoga classes to help with fall prevention in the Community. He is also a certified tai chi and yoga instructor. 

He informed families that the Injury Prevention team is constantly looking for ways to improve their methods to better serve the Community. 

One of those methods is the new medication lockbox, which is free for members and families living in the Community. “I give you a code for the lockbox and I’ll come to your house; it takes two bolts [to install it],” Yazzie said.

Utilizing a medication lockbox ensures that the medication is taken only by the prescribed user. 

Continuing his presentation, Yazzie promoted the four health kiosks located in the SRPMIC. “They are always open. If we have a power outage, the kiosks have backup generators, which can last for days,” he said.

Community families were then given information regarding fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is extremely dangerous when not utilized for medical purposes. According to a study conducted by the California Department of Public Health, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Yazzie noted, “Our security team and police department are constantly bringing up how dangerous fentanyl is because it only takes a little dose, a tiny speck, to harm someone very badly.”

He then detailed how Narcan, an over-the-counter nasal spray which can reverse an opioid overdose, can be used to save someone’s life. 

“Narcan strips, COVID-19 tests, ‘test my drink’ strips and much more are [available] in the Community health kiosks,” said Yazzie. 

As he neared the end of his presentation, Yazzie encouraged families to reach out to him, even if it’s to discuss the latest movie they watched. 

“Give me a call. You want to tell me what movie you just watched? I love movies; I would love that too. My whole goal with the Injury Prevention program is to be the best advocate. I am here for you.”