The Arizona Parents Commission on Drug Education and Prevention also known as "The Parents Commission" was created by the passage of Proposition 200 - "The Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act". Having been created by voter initiative, The Parents Commission's mission is to fund programs that will increase and enhance parental involvement and increase education about the serious risks and public health problems caused by abuse of alcohol and controlled substances. Much of the emphasis with our programs centers on prevention in regards to substance abuse and strong parental involvement with their children.

The Arizona Parents Commission is unique in that the commissioners are citizens from around the State of Arizona, chosen by the Governor to serve two-year terms. There are nine Commissioners, five of which are parents with children, one is a representative of law enforcement, one is an educator, one is a representative of a county probation department, and one is a representative of the drug education and treatment community.

The Parents Commission works with the Governor's Division For Substance Abuse Policy, which performs all administrative and professional services for the Commission. The Governor's Division For Substance Abuse Policy, on behalf of The Parents Commission, assists the Commission in developing substance use education and prevention and parent involvement strategies. They distribute funds to programs to increase and enhance parental involvement and to increase substance use education and prevention.

The Division For Substance Abuse Policy is in the Governor’s Office For Children Youth and Families. The Division acts as a catalyst for integration of programs and services with other State agencies. Currently, the Division is responsible for the administration and coordination of two federal (SAMSHA) grants; a statewide substance abuse prevention and a statewide co-occurring disorders grant. The Division works closely with other state agencies such as the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Arizona Department of Health Services, and the Arizona Department of Education to ensure program and service coordination.

Staff Contact:

Keri Raichert
(602) 542-3475
KRaichert@az.gov