13th ANNUAL SAFE & SOBER MARCH & RALLY IS MAY 23
Partnership for a Drug-Free Detroit, Detroit Police Department host Eastside event with entertainment, food, speakers to kick off a safe and sober summer

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer, and the Partnership for a Drug-Free Detroit and the Detroit Police Department Eastern District are urging the community to make it a fun but safe one. This Friday, May 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., they host the 13th Annual Safe & Sober Kickoff, March & Rally on Detroit�s east side for the first time.

The event will feature food, entertainment, speakers and more, and the theme is �Proud to be from �the D� Because We Love Our Community.�

�Our goal is to reduce the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by 50 percent in the city of Detroit,� says Dr. Calvin Trent, director of the Detroit Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment & Recovery and the Partnership for a Drug-Free Detroit. �This is a fun event with community-wide participation, and we�re hoping it will raise awareness and get the summer off to a good start.�

The event begins with a march at the corner of Blackmoor (E. Outer Drive) and Seven Mile Road. Marchers proceed down Seven Mile to Dresden (next to Osborn High School), where the rally and program begin at 11 a.m.

On the agenda are local and state legislators and officials, representation from the Mayor�s Office, Detroit Public Schools, the Detroit Police Department, the 36th District Court, the faith-based community, youth organizations and more, including prevention, treatment and recovery providers. Safe prom night tips will be distributed, along with other prevention, treatment and recovery information. Free substance abuse assessment and referral services will be available, as well as free HIV/AIDS testing. The Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion and the Detroit Recreation Department also will be there.

Games and rides for children, free food and live entertainment complete the festive affair. A host of local junior-high and high school bands will battle it out with show-stopping tunes promoting a safe and sober summer. Youth from the Black Caucus Foundation and cheerleaders from the Youth Development Institute�s Cheer, Chant & Jump will fire up the crowd. Approximately 1500 are expected to attend.

�Many volunteers, staff and local officials in the city of Detroit partner throughout the year, spending long hours to help create and disseminate positive alternatives to the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs," said the Rev. Denice Nixon, manager for the Partnership for a Drug-Free Detroit. "Everyone is invited to join in to help spread the safe and sober message."

The 13th Annual Safe & Sober Kickoff is sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free Detroit in collaboration with the Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment & Recovery.

For additional information, contact Nixon at (313) 876-0769, by e-mail at nixond@health.ci.detroit.mi.us, or visit the Partnership Web site at www.drugfreedetroit.org.