News / Education
County Fair Provides Venue For Drug Education
Narconon Provides Drug Education at County Fair
Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia has taken the opportunity at a local County Fair to help educate parents and children on drugs and drug abuse.
“While many people don’t think about drug abuse or drug addiction at a county fair,” comments Grodon Weinand, Public Relations for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia, “this is a good a place as any to point out the facts to people, young and old alike. Anyone can become addicted: someone young pressured by peers, or an older person addicted to prescription pain-killers”
Visitors were not disappointed in the colorful display. Children signed a pledge promising to remain drug-free and study hard in school, while adults learned about the signs of drug abuse and how to talk to their kids about drugs. After signing the drug-free pledge the kids got a free toy and parents left armed with literature.
As studies show, drug abuse of hard street drugs is on the decline while prescription drug abuse is a growing problem that if not halted will be at epidemic proportions.
"It seems that more and more news stories are about a celebrity dying of prescription drug addiction or being treated for it," comments Mr. Weinand. "Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Burt Reynolds, people you would never imagine having a problem with prescription drugs are finding themselves in trouble because they didn't know any better. We aim to change that."
This is the second year that Narconon Georgia has participated in the county fair, and thousands have stopped by the drug education booth and expressed their support and approval.
Local radio stations interviewed Mr. Weinand, who has been with the Narconon program for 43 years, parents asked about drug education, and local vendors applauded Narconon’s efforts to educate the public.
Mr. Weinand commented, “Everyone has been happy to see us here; we even were treated to a rendition of ‘Rocky Top” by two beautiful nin-year-olds. The county fair has served as a perfect venue for drug education as in a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere, a very serious subject can be addressed in a positive way. The kids and family learned something valuable without feeling they were being lectured to.”
