DRUG-ADDICTED TEENS STAR IN NEW TV SERIES

REGINA - They're not your typical reality TV stars: Kristie suffered
a near-fatal ecstasy overdose, Travis turns to self-mutilation in a
misguided attempt to feel better and Cyara suffers from
marijuana-related depression.

They are among six Regina teens in a 13-part Saskatchewan-made
television series called Drug Class.

The show, premiering Thursday night on the Saskatchewan Communications
Network, is part entertainment, part education.

"My biggest hope is that people will realize that drug and alcohol
problems aren't isolated. They hit all facets of society," said drug
and alcohol educator Rand Teed, whose voluntary drug classes at
several Regina high schools form the basis for the series.

The teens' stories are interwoven with Teed's classes and his
counselling sessions using a "harm-reduction" approach.

"I would be happier if they all quit, but in reality, that's not going
to happen," Teed said. "So if we can help them go from harmful use to
use which is less harmful, then we've accomplished something."

To find participants for the filming that began last spring, Teed
approached teens with whom he had previously worked.

He gave each of them a cellphone, as well as a camcorder so they could
record their own "personal diary" for the program. A production crew
was on standby, 24 hours a day.

"For some of them, doing the TV show was that one positive thing,"
said Robert Pytlyk, the show's director and editor.

"Even if they looked bad or said something ridiculous or relapsed, if
they helped that one person, to them it was worthwhile."

Producer Lori Kuffner said the families were willing to take part --
even allowing cameras into their homes -- if it meant "breaking the
silence" about drug abuse in a non-sensational way.

"Some of the families felt so alone," she said.

Kuffner would eventually like to see the series become a resource in
schools and libraries.

Pytlyk is already musing about a second season that would pick up
where the stories left off, as well as use a new group of teens and
topics.