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The First Annual SAFE Superhero Gala was held on Saturday, May 11 – an evening of food, sharing, and celebration sponsored by Terry Law, Eaton Funeral Service, Cooleemee Police Chief Nelson Turrentine, and Attorney Lynne Hicks.

The meal was provided by county commissioner, Benita Finney, and the Spice of Life 4H Group, led by Phil and Sonja Ivey, volunteered to assist in set up and serving.

SAFE stands for Substance Abuse Family Education, and was formed after the opiod death of Ross Allen King Jr.

“Even a small, quaint town such as Mocksville can be and has been ravished in the shadows by the darkness of substance misuse and the fallout of the effects related to such on our community,” said Jason Ijames, who helped form the group.

SAFE is a life approach to help people overcome the addiction of substances. Research shows that substance abuse is a symptom of problems, not the problem itself.

“The SAFE team works in conjunction with a web of resources and outside agencies to offer the best possible avenue for success in any person whom is struggling with any affliction in life.” It is not about solely preventing substance use by preventing people from accepting a lower standard of quality of life, teaching them that they are worthy of living and not just surviving, he said.