April 6, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Nearly 2,000 middle school children from Birmingham City, Jefferson County and private schools will get a real-life lesson on the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse during the UAB Drug Store program next month.

The UAB Drug Store program features realistic demonstrations designed to teach pre-teens about the legal, social and physical consequences of substance abuse. Students will walk through seven “stations,” including a mock drug store, police precinct, jail, courtroom and emergency room. Local and federal law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, paramedics, nurses and substance abuse counselors will be on hand in each station to show students what can happen to them if they use drugs and alcohol.

The UAB Drug Store will also feature display booths, videos, mounted police patrols and McGruff the Crime Dog.

The Drug Store was established at UAB in 1995. Since then, the program has spread to other cities including Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Parker City, Oklahoma, and Midland, Texas.

For more information, please contact Tonya Webb, UAB crime prevention specialist and UAB Drug Store coordinator, (205) 934-2409.