Unsafe school zones
As high school students in Yuma, we’ve noticed how unsafe school zones can be. Every day, drivers speed through these areas, ignoring signs and putting students at risk. It feels like the current safety measures just aren’t enough to keep us safe.
That’s why we believe we need to install more automated speed enforcement cameras around schools and on school buses. These cameras would catch drivers who speed or pass stopped buses, and the footage could also help determine fault in accidents. It’s a simple and effective way to hold people accountable and protect students.
Some people may be concerned about privacy, but these cameras only target illegal behavior. If this law can prevent accidents and save lives, then the benefits far outweigh the concerns.
We hope you will consider publishing this letter to help raise awareness about school zone safety and support a solution that could make a real difference in our community.
Annalie Rodriguez
Tayler Reischmann
Gila Ridge High School, Yuma
Water crisis calls for urgent action
Arizona’s water crisis, driven by drought, climate change, and the shrinking Colorado River, demands urgent action. I suggest a comprehensive strategy that includes water audits, conservation incentives and educational initiatives. Water audits can help identify and reduce water waste in homes and businesses.
Although rebates and audits require moderate investments in the long run it could lead to substantial water saving. Educational programs in school and the community will help to raise a lasting sense of responsibility when it comes to water use as well as having a lasting impact on future generations when it comes to the value of water.
Also providing incentives like rebates for water-saving appliances or drought-tolerant landscaping, can encourage people to participate in conservation efforts. The combination of incentives and education can lower our consumption of water as well as secure a more sustainable future.
These steps are affordable and effective. They reduce water use, raise awareness, and protect future supplies. Every drop saved today helps ensure a livable future.
Policymakers and the public must act now to prevent the crisis from worsening.
Jazmin Elmer
Gila Ridge High School, Yuma
Devastating effects of fentanyl
Fentanyl is now the deadliest drug in Arizona, with devastating effects on families across our communities. Just two grains of this substance can be lethal.
In Maricopa County, more than three people die every day from fentanyl overdoses, and the majority of drug-related deaths statewide now involve this substance. The fear of accidental exposure is real, creating anxiety in neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.
Arizona’s proximity to the border makes us especially vulnerable. In 2023, over 26,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the southern border, almost five times more than in 2020, and most of it entered through official ports of entry. Despite these efforts, fentanyl continues to flood into our state, fueling addiction and tragic losses.
While law enforcement and border security are critical, prevention and education are equally important. We propose establishing a rehabilitation and education center led by fentanyl survivors. These individuals can share their experiences, conduct outreach in schools, and educate students about the dangers of fentanyl, warning signs of opioid misuse, and how to use naloxone in emergencies. By combining real stories with practical education, Arizona can empower youth, reduce stigma, and equip our community to prevent further tragedy. Together, we can save lives and build a safer, healthier future.
Emily Delacruz
Stephanie Vasquez
Gila Ridge High School, Yuma
Arizona’s weak gun laws
The state of Arizona is in the midst of a dire crisis: our state has the eighth weakest gun laws in the nation, and yearly, there are approximately 1,344 Arizonans who are killed and 2,125 injured by gun violence.
The price is not entirely just physical, but psychological, social and economic, at a cost of $15.9 billion per year to Arizona.
Many survivors and families also have to suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, broken trust and vast medical expenses. Children who are exposed to gun violence carry wounds that can take up to a lifetime to heal.
While there is a heated debate over gun control laws, I believe we need to address the root cause of the violence through the promotion of early intervention and sensitivity to mental health.
I recommend that Arizona make mandatory health education classes in our schools through experiential mechanisms, such as having virtual reality training on emotional intelligence, conflict resolution and coping. We would include VR scenarios, which would be age-appropriate and designed with experts to safely teach kids emotional skills and resilience.
By educating students about this problem, we can implement compassion, toughness and more positive forms of conflict resolution, and potentially reduce the risk of violence before it occurs.
Let’s take decisive steps to strengthen the safety and well-being of our communities. I urge our legislators and educators to make mental health education a priority to be used as a tool for preventing gun violence.
With an investment in this prevention and education, we can prevent lives from being lost and build a safer and healthier Arizona.
Alessandra Sanchez
Arlette Casarez
Gila Ridge High School, Yuma
We need more humor
Re: April 21 guest column
I was very happy to see your guest columnist today was Jase Graves. He’s a breath of fresh air in these times of partisanship and discontent.
Please print him more often. We need his lightheartedness and humor.
Jeanine Morse
Yuma
God bless nurses
Re: National Nurses Week
God bless these health care professionals and the vital work they do.
Rusty Washum
Yuma
