Karen Dobner and DEA Will Expose Dangers of 'Legal' Synthetic Drugs at Red Ribbon Week's Saturday Expo

The red ribbons are up, all through the downtown. Activities have taken place throughout our schools, and individual red ribbons can be found in public places throughout Geneva.

And on Saturday, residents will get the chance to learn about the havoc that even “legal” drugs can make. the rapidly growing “legal”/synthetic drug craze.

“These drugs are increasingly becoming the gateway drugs for kids who would never have dared to try 'illegal' drugs,” according to the Geneva Coalition for Youth. 

The coalition will host a Red Ribbon Week Celebration and Expo from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at . During the Expo, Karen Dobner of Aurora will speak of the personal, heart-breaking toll she believes played in ripping apart her life forever.

Her son, in a car crash at Mooseheart Road and Route 31 in Batavia Township. Later, tests showed the presence of an ingredient known to be part of synthetic marijuana. 

is founder of “To the Maximus! Foundation,” and she will speak at the Expo in an effort to educate the parents and youth of Geneva.

Also part of the event is the takeoff and landing of a Drug Enforcement Agency helicopter (landing is at noon, while the helicopter will take off at 2 p.m.) as well as the chance to meet the DEA special agent and pilot, plus learning about the danger, and successes, of a DEA agent’s job. People will be able to take pictures with the pilot. 

The speeches—by Dobner, the agent, Coalition representatives and Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns—are slated for 12:15 to 12:40 p.m. 

Other activities, for those of all ages, include: 

Participate in four “Fatal Vision Obstacle Courses,” including a simulated traffic stop and  Field Sobriety Test course

• Meet the Kane County SWAT Team and K-9 Unit.
• Measure your stress level with free Stress Dots.
• Learn and Participate in Stress-Buster Exercises.
• See and Learn about the latest drugs at the Drug Identification Display.
• For parents, drop off unused and/or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs at the Geneva Police Department booth, for safe disposal.
• Learn tips on how to prevent bullying from local author and educator Julie Nicolai.
• Hear about local drug trends.

Agencies will have stands and booths to provide tips and information on all kinds of topics, including counseling and education for drug and alcohol abuse, helping at-risk adolescents and their families, tips on making healthy lifestyle choices, “healthy choice” activities, stress relief, services for addicts and their families and youth crisis intervention. 

The event is free, but donations to the would be appreciated. Food will go to the First Baptist Church of Geneva's food pantry.