Albany Artesian Alliance hosts DEA drug exhibit

Major exhibit on display

April 12, 2023

Matthew Crumley,

ALBANY, Ga. – A major exhibit is on display in downtown Albany courtesy of a major government agency.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche spoke with Albany’s Artesian Alliance about the conversations they’re hoping to hold with the exhibit.

The Artesian Alliance of Albany is in the midst of a major exhibit here at the Thronateeska Heritage Center, an exhibit about the impact of drugs on the body, courtesy of the DEA.

To the Alliance, having an exhibit put on by the DEA is major first for downtown.

“It’s the first time its made its way to Georgia; it’s a travelling exhibit put together by the drug enforcement agency, and it’s called ‘drugs: costs and consequences’ and really gives a close and in depth look at the consequences of using drugs,” said Wendy Bellacomo, Communications Manager, Artesian Alliance.

The exhibit goes through the toll that drugs can have on the human body, ranging from impacts on the brain…to more physical injuries.

“When people visit, they will get a true understanding of the impact that drugs can have on people’s lives, because the exhibits here are so impactful and so personal,” said Bellacomo.

But…the exhibit is going beyond just what’s on display at the Heritage Center.

As the Artesian Alliance is holding discussions around the exhibit.

Next up: a conversation on mental health and stress and how it circles back to drug use.

“It’s both stress awareness month, and child abuse prevention month. So drugs can really play into those two topics, both stress and child abuse. And we really want to highlight how that connects back to the exhibits,” said Bellacomo.

And, the Alliance believes that in a post-COVID setting, having this talk about mental health is crucial.

“With COVID, certainly that’s heightened the stress of people. And, we just wanted to explore how we can handle that stress without turning to other substances,” said Bellacomo.

As they continue to hold conversations regarding the exhibit, the Artesian Alliance is hoping that all members of the community will attend.

The conversation will be held this Monday, April 17th at the Thronateeska Heritage Center, starting at 5 pm.

Brian Roche reporting.