DEA showcases the dangers of drug addiction through travelling museum exhibit

 The DEA Museum’s Drugs: Costs and Consequences explores the science behind drug addiction and the societal costs of illicit drug use

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon today unveiled the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 5,500 square foot Drugs: Costs and Consequences travelling exhibit in Albuquerque with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, where it will be housed for the next several months. 

The national touring exhibit is an interactive exploration of the many costs and consequences of drug misuse, conveying a powerful message of the destructive health, environmental, safety, and family impacts of illicit drug use on individuals and society as a whole. This exhibit opened on January 26 and will run through Sept. 30, 2019.

“This exhibit tells the incredible story about what the nearly 10,000 men and women of DEA do every single day to protect our nation from illegal drugs,” said Acting Administrator Dhillon. “It connects their service and sacrifice in places as near as the streets of Albuquerque, and as far away as Afghanistan, to the goal of preventing the extraordinary pain, anguish, and loss that comes with drug use.”

Experienced by more than 22 million students, teachers, and parents across the country, Drugs: Costs and Consequences presents a historic and contemporary overview of the many costs and consequences of illegal drugs and drug abuse on society and what visitors can do to be part of the solutions. It is comprised of artifacts, photographs, videos, and interactive kiosks that provide a learning environment to explore the global and local issues surrounding the costs and consequences of drugs on society. More than 500 images and over 150 objects help tell the stories that make up this exhibit. Visitors will discover the latest cutting-edge science research being conducted around the country, providing a better understanding of what drugs do to the system of the body and what can be done to stop or even reverse that damage. Visitors will also be introduced to drug law enforcement, drug abuse prevention education, and drug treatment efforts being conducted around the world and how those efforts are impacting the local community.

Drugs: Costs and Consequences was developed in partnership with The DEA Educational Foundation, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, The Office of National Drug Control Policy, The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and The Partnership for Drug Free Kids.

The exhibit began a national tour in 2002 at the DEA Museum in Arlington, Va., and has since inspired its millions of visitors in 16 previous locations nationwide. 

For more information on the content of the exhibit and related educational programs, visit www.drugexhibit.org.

Entrance to the exhibit is included in the admission to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. For more information, visit www.nmnaturalhistory.org, or call 505-841-2800.