SPREE Returns for 2nd Year with Resources, Performances and Family Fun

Communitywide expo will feature free food, entertainment and life-saving information on substance use prevention.

The Substance Prevention, Resources and Empowerment Expo—better known as SPREE—is back for its second year, bringing families and the community together for an engaging, educational evening focused on substance use prevention and wellness.

The event takes place Friday, May 9, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Berna Facio Professional Development Center, 3315 Louisiana Blvd. NE. It is co-sponsored by APS Crossroads, Bernalillo County/Keep NM Alive, and the New Mexico Department of Health in collaboration with the City of Albuquerque and the DEA.

SPREE combines fun and education with a wide variety of family-friendly activities, including a live DJ, therapy dogs and ponies, face painting, a photo booth and a craft room. Food truck vouchers will be provided free of charge, and more than 30 resource tables will be available for families looking for support, education or next steps.

Guests will also be able to enjoy student performances from local schools and participate in interactive workshops on harm reduction, the dangers of social media, how to talk to youth about drugs and more. Panels featuring youth and adults with lived experiences offer powerful insight and inspiration.

Workshops are also available in Spanish and geared toward young people, giving attendees tools for making informed decisions, building coping skills and refusing peer pressure.

SPREE is designed to empower, educate and connect the community with tools and resources for preventing and responding to substance use—and it does all that in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

Learn more about SPREE and register for free on Eventbrite.