Thronateeska Heritage Center to host day of fun, education in downtown Albany
By Alan Mauldin
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ALBANY — It’s going to be “museum madness” at the Thronateeska Heritage Center on Saturday with kids’ activities and food trucks. But there will be a serious message as well, with part of the time devoted to mental health and substance abuse issues.
A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration specialist also will be available for tours through the agency’s traveling exhibit, “Drugs: Costs and Consequences.”
“This is for National Drug Prevention Week and Mental Health Awareness Month,” Angie Jones, Thronateeska’s exhibition manager for the exhibit, said.
In addition to the outdoor activities that will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Canine Unit will give demonstrations of the dogs at work, and the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit will be on hand to accept prescription medication for disposal.
“Just drop them off,” Jones said. “It’s a no-questions-asked drug drop-off event.”
Other organizations, including Aspire Behavioral Health and Disabilities, the Albany Recreation and Parks Department and the Anchorage will have booths set up outside.
Three presentations are scheduled for the day, starting at 11 a.m. with Jere Brands from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Albany speaking on mental health. At 1 p.m., Amy Jack of GraceWay Recovery will speak about substance abuse with strategies for users and family members of all ages.
Wrapping up the speakers will be Phyllis Rolle from the Georgia Department of Public Health, who will discuss opioid and substance abuse at 3 p.m.
There is no cost to tour the exhibit or for other activities.
Since the exhibit opened in February more than 1,000 people have visited, Jones said, including groups from as far away as the Richmond County School District and Newnan.
The exhibit will be on display through September.
“We’re just going to have different things for the whole family going on,” Jones said of the museum madness event.
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