In recognition of Stress Awareness Month & National Child Abuse Prevention Month and in conjunction with the DEA Traveling Exhibit, “Drugs: Costs & Consequences—Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause,” the Artesian Alliance is hosting a Community Conversation in the Chautauqua Room at Thronateeska Monday, April 17, 6 pm-7 pm. Guided tours of the DEA exhibit on display in the Science Museum are offered 5pm-7 pm, immediately prior to the event.

Leading the conversation on stress will be Janice Route-Blaylock, retired RN, and Dr. Katrina Sokolowski, DC, a local chiropractor. The topic of child abuse awareness will be facilitated by Vontressa Stephens, Director Basic Center Program, Open Arms, Inc.; Victoria Brackins, A.C.E./Social Trauma Escape Artist; and Elizabeth Gibson, Assistant District Attorney, Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office. Marlisa Nixon, CARES, CPS-AD, Aspire, will end the program with a personal pronouncement.

Coordinator of the event, Angie Gibson Jones of the Artesian Alliance, said the event and future monthly Community Conversations are directly connected to the current DEA exhibit. “Through these programs, we are seeking to build community coalitions to support drug education and prevention efforts across our community. We are strengthening community relations and awareness between the community and local DEA field divisions by highlighting different monthly themes. This month’s theme focuses on stress and its effects on behavioral health issues like child abuse and substance abuse.”

Recommended for 4th grade and up, the must-see “Drugs: Costs and Consequences” exhibit features state-of-the-art technology, a learning environment, and resources for students and families. It is open at Thronateeska Science Center Wed.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm. Free guided tours for guests are available on Saturdays at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. School groups and organizations can book seven days a week and schedule a guided tour by contacting Angie Jones Gibson at [email protected] or 229-432-6955 Ext. 1009.

Learn more about the exhibit at heritagecenter.org/explore/dea. “Drugs: Costs & Consequences—Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause” is open for the first time in Georgia at Thronateeska through
September 6.

The Community Conversation series is held in conjunction with the DEA exhibit and presented by the Artesian Alliance, which includes Chehaw Park & Zoo, the Flint RiverQuarium, and Thronateeska.