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maskmatters.org
SPRING
2011
schools. Recently, MASK held a
prescription drug abuse trauma
drill at Explorer Middle School in
north Phoenix. During what they
thought was a routine fire drill,
students witnessed the potential
effects of a prescription drug
overdose when a student (who
was part of the reenactment) collapsed. Teachers,
administrators and the school nurse moved quickly
to address the student’s needs and called 911. Within
minutes, the Phoenix Fire Department arrived and
went into action, displaying the routine response that
an individual would undergo in such a situation.
After the drill, MASK led a presentation on the
dangers of prescription drug abuse. Students
watched videos, listened to educational information
presented by Baumann, and heard a powerful
testimony from an 18-year-old recovering addict.
Valuable partnerships with such organizations
as the state Attorney General’s Office, the Paradise
Valley Unified School District, Remuda Ranch, the
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, AirEvac
and the Phoenix Fire Department, allow MASK to
provide these informative and, perhaps, life-saving
programs. In addition, it is through fundraising
events—such as the group’s annual “MASKer Aide
Night Gala”—and donations that MASK is able to
provide all of its programs free of charge.
“One hundred percent of what we raise goes
toward our programs,” says Cardini. “The valuable
information our programs provide should be
available to anyone who wants it.”
Looking ahead, MASK is growing and continually
looking for new ways to bring awareness about the
issues facing children today. With the redesign of their
website, the launch of
MASK The Magazine
, its National
Student Awareness Kit and opportunities for new
programs, the organization is committed to becoming
a one-stop resource for parents with school-age
children. According to Cardini, it’s their passion to do
all the legwork to keep parents up to date.
“In the end, we’re just moms,” Cabral says. “We
don’t have fancy titles before or after our names,
and we’re not saying we’ve got it figured out. All
we can do is be the resource of information to
provide parents, kids and the community with
the knowledge and tools to help create a safe and
healthy environment.”
DRILL TEAM/
Phoenix
firefighters work on
rescuing passengers
from a car involved in
an accident caused
by texting and driv-
ing. The reenactment
was part of MASK’s
Trauma Drill program,
which presents real-
life situations to local
junior and high school
students.
moms making
a difference
FOR MORE INFO ON
MOTHERS AWARENESS ON
SCHOOL-AGE KIDS (MASK)
CONTACT:
maskmatters.org // 480.502.5337
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