The Graham County Anti-Meth Coalition set several goals aimed at fighting drug abuse, including the creation of a speakers bureau, which would provide speakers for local club or organization events.

During its Dec. 2 meeting, the coalition also set April 22 as the date for its annual conference, which will be held at the Eastern Arizona College.

The Anti-Meth Coalition is a group of counselors, law enforcement officials and private citizens who work toward preventing the use of methamphetamines and other illegal drugs. In addition to forming a speakers bureau, coalition members agreed to the following goals for the next six months:

• Promote Lions Quest training for educators. This training, available through the local Lions Club, helps teachers develop ways to include anti-drug messages in the class curriculum.

• Organize two "Dump the Drugs" days. These events would give area residents opportunities to dispose of old prescription and over-the-counter medications in a safe way.

• Plan newspaper inserts that carry an anti-drug message and include a survey residents can fill out about drug abuse and prevention.

• Develop ways to measure outcomes of the organization's activities.

• Set up town-hall-style meetings for parents of middle school and high school students.

Safford Police Chief John Griffin said the Police Department is working toward setting up a system in which local residents can drop off their old pharmaceuticals at the police station for disposal. Pills would first be ground up and wet down with water. Next they would be placed in cat litter for disposal.

Griffin said the drug disposal service is still in the planning stages and no start date has been set.

In other business, the coalition voted to sponsor the Youth Advocate Job Fair by donating $1,000. The event will be at the Eastern Arizona College on Jan. 31.