Drugs: Costs and Consequences & Brain: The Inside Story Exhibitions Come to Albuquerque in 2019

August 27th, 2018

(Albuquerque, New Mexico) -- The alarming escalation in opioid, methamphetamine, and illegal drug deaths in New Mexico and throughout the United States has reached epidemic proportions. As an engaged public institution and community partner, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science will host two timely exhibitions in early 2019, Drugs: Costs and Consequences; and, Brain: The Inside Story. Entrance to both exhibitions will be included in the museum admission cost.

“Each of these two exhibits presents phenomenal learning opportunities. Brain: The Inside Story invites visitors to understand how the brain functions and even participate in science-based experiences, while Drugs: Costs and Consequences explores global drug issues that trickle down to the smallest communities,” said Margie Marino, director of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. “Our objective is to help each visitor become part of the solution to make changes for the better.”

Drugs: Costs & Consequences is a traveling exhibition from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum and the DEA Education Foundation. Formerly known as Target America, the exhibition has traveled to 16 cities and has been viewed by more than 22 million visitors. The exhibit will be on display daily in Albuquerque from January 26 through September 30, 2019.

The DEA drug exhibition provides a very powerful message on the destructive impacts of drug use in our society, on families, health, our environment and community safety,” said Marino. “As the depth and breadth of this epidemic has come into focus in New Mexico, the museum was eager to partner with the DEA and our many engaged local partners to lay bare the heinous impact these drugs are having on our society.”

Brain: The Inside Story draws on the most current research and technology to present the latest in neuroscience, highlighting the brain’s surprising ability to rewire itself in response to experience, disability, or trauma. Organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York with other international partners, the exhibition also showcases modern technologies that researchers use to study the brain. Brain: The Inside Story will be on exhibition from February 22 through June 23, 2019.

Interactives, puzzles, brain-scan imaging, and spectacular models explore senses, emotions, brain development, and even brains in the future. From a real plastinated brain to dazzling art installations revealing our own perceptions, this exhibition comes alive with fascinating discussions of how our minds work.

“The Brain exhibition includes plenty of interactive displays where children and adults can take their brains on a test run that will both surprise and stimulate,” said Marino.

As with past exhibits, the “Drugs” exhibition aims to connect with a broad group of organizations in the local community. These organizations represent the private sector, non-profit organizations, schools/school systems, law enforcement, federal agencies, state agencies, medical fields, prevention and treatment organizations, faith-based organizations, and others.

Link to b-roll for The Brain: The Inside Story

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5rkf7vvvz5js2f5/AAAUc3RdVw-ckylU0ChWaqABa?dl=0

Link to this release & image(s): http://media.newmexicoculture.org/release/803/drugs-costs-and-consequences-the-brain-i

About: Brain: The Inside Story is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org), in collaboration with Codice. Idee per la cultura, Torino, Italy in association with Comune di Milano – Assessorato Cultura, Italy; Guangdong Science Center, Guangzhou, China; and Parque de las Ciencias, Granada, Spain.

About: Drugs: Costs & Consequences is an exhibit from the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum. With content specific to each location where it is displayed the exhibit presents both a global and historical overview of the many costs and consequences of drugs on society.

About the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science: http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org. Established in 1986, the mission of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is to preserve and interpret the distinctive natural and scientific heritage of our state through extraordinary collections, research, exhibits, and programs designed to ignite a passion for lifelong learning. The NMMNHS offers exhibitions, programs and workshops in Geoscience, including Paleontology and Mineralogy, Bioscience and Space Science. It is the Southwest’s largest repository for fossils and includes a Planetarium and a large format 3D DynaTheater. A division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the Museum is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 1801 Mountain Road NW, northeast of Historic Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque, NM 87104, (505) 841-2800.  Events, news releases and images about activities at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and other  divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org