ALDEN, N.Y. — A haunted house in Alden has a deeper purpose than giving people a scare. The Alden Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition works with middle and high school students to put together the haunted house for the community.
Colleen Babcock, a coordinator with the coalition, said it's not just a safe Halloween activity, it's an extra-curricular. The students have been working on it since September.
"You know we could do a party and that would last a night, but if we did something like this we could engage the students to help put this all together," Babcock said.
While there's plenty of candy for the kids, the hidden treat is what the parents walk away with, awareness. Every adult gets a purple bag with information on substance abuse, warning signs in youth, and where they can get help.
"At an event like this we can put the information in their hands, and they don't have to to you know walk through the doors of a drug and alcohol forum," Babcok said.
Volunteer Wendy Smosna said it's information everyone needs.
"As a parent supporting somebody with the disease of addiction, it's been my personal mission to see that this does not happen to somebody else, somebody else's family," Smosna said.
While the haunted house experience only lasts a few minutes, the Alden Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition hopes the message will last a lifetime.
"It's just very important that the community knows that nobody is immuned from this disease," Smosna said.
The haunted house is located at the American Legion in Alden, and will be open from 12pm-4pm on Saturday.
The event fits into the deeper picture of Substance Abuse. Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. You can find the closest drop off location to you here.
