The various Museums at Thronateeksa will close temporarily for the installation of their newest exhibit: Drugs: Cost and Consequences which opens to the public February 9, 2023. Thronateeska’s Science Museum will be the home of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum’s traveling exhibit from February through September 2023. The 5,500-square-foot exhibit includes an interactive exploration of the effects of drugs on both individuals and society. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the history and the current science behind drug law enforcement, drug prevention, and drug treatment specific to Georgia’s local communities. The exhibit is part of the educational outreach efforts of the DEA Museum in Arlington, Virginia. The DEA Educational Foundation continues in its long standing support and coordination of the exhibit, working with the Museum.

“The Artesian Alliance is proud to bring this powerful exhibit to the South Georgia Community,” said Executive Director Tommy Gregors. “Our goal is that families, schools, and community organizations all over the region take the time to visit this potentially life-changing exhibit. The Artesian Alliance envisions a community that contributes to the betterment of its people, its flora, its fauna, and its world. We ultimately hope that the learning that takes place within the exhibit translates into positive action in our community.” 

Experienced by more than 22 million visitors in 18 cities across the country, Drugs: Costs and Consequences explains the science behind illegal drug addiction and the countless costs and consequences of illegal drugs to individuals, American society, and the world. Visitors will learn what drug abuse education and treatment are doing to break the troubling cycle of drugs and drug-related violence. They will view both an actual South American jungle coca processing lab and a re-created Afghan heroin factory. They will also analyze brain-scans in a simulated MRI machine and view real wreckage from a drug-related car accident. A portion of the exhibit will focus specifically on drug related issues specific to the South Georgia region.

Cost of admission and group tours through the exhibit are free to the public. Guided tours are offered for school groups and are recommended for students in fourth grade and up. “Our goal is to bring as many students through as possible,” says Education Director, Jackie Entz. “We are targeting 100,000 visitors during this eight month period.” Tours align with Georgia Standards of Excellence for Health Education. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has provided some funding for bus fares. 

Group visits can be scheduled by contacting Angie Gibson Jones at agibson@artesianalliance.org or by calling 229.432.6955 ext. 1009. Visiting this exhibit is an important and heavy topic of conversation. Students can be given time to decompress by coupling their visit to the DEA Museum with trips and education programs to Chehaw Park and Zoo, Flint RiverQuarium, or Thronateeska’s Science and History Museum or Planetarium. Half day, Full Day, and Multi Day trips can be scheduled as well.  All field trips and education program align with Georgia Standards of Excellence in fields of History, Science, Math, Geology, Geography, and more. For more information about the exhibit, visit drugexhibit.org

Formed in 2019, The Artesian Alliance is a partnership between Chehaw Park & Zoo, the Flint RiverQuarium, and Thronateeska Heritage Center. The collaboration created by the partnership has already led to joint programmatic efforts, greater operating efficiencies and cost containment, and a more effective use of limited resources for the three organizations involved. The Artesian Alliance designation also paves the way for future joint staffing and programming, as well as memberships and fundraising. In short, we are all much stronger together than individually. Through the Artesian Alliance, the three venues look forward to both a re-energized base of support and a slate of new initiatives that will help lead the community into the future.