Boots & Bling Line Dancing fundraiser set for Oct. 9
Thrive Lee will hold its Boots & Bling Line Dancing fundraiser next Friday, Oct. 9, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Millennial Brewery in Fort Myers.
Money raised will be used to support Thrive Lee’s opiate prevention program, as well as its drug prevention efforts for kids.
Admission is free, and the event will include a line dancing competition and performances by DJ Two Step Terry, The Hot Flashz and Deep Cover, a local band.
“We are excited about our upcoming event,” said Deborah Comella, executive director of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida. “We will use the funds to support Drug House Odyssey (now in its 33rd year in Lee County) and evidence-based prevention to drug-proof our kids.”
With ongoing concerns about the safety of kratom, Thrive Lee has provided information regarding some of the risks of using the substance composed of the dried leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Thrive Lee warns that the substance is marketed online as a natural “cure-all” and safe.
However, the FDA has not approved the substance, and the safety of regular use is not known, according to Thrive Lee.
“Thrive Lee/Drug Free Lee is fully supportive of a ban on kratom, as this dangerous and misunderstood substance negatively impacts Lee County citizens daily,” Comella said. “We urge parents to continue to have an honest and open discussion with their kids about making good decisions about drugs and alcohol.”
Known risks include addiction and physical dependence, severe withdrawal symptoms, unknown product purity and consistency, contamination with pathogens or metals, liver toxicity and heart problems, interactions with medications like antidepressants, negative mental health effects such as agitation and psychosis, and seizures at high doses, according to Thrive Lee.
Title sponsors of the event are AWA — Auto Owner Insurance.
Millennial Brewery is at 1811 Royal Palm Ave., Fort Myers.
For more information, visit drugfreelee.org.