BEHIND THE SCENES AT 'DRUG CLASS'

Robert Pytlyk recalls a phone call in the middle of the night from a
Regina teen in the midst of a crisis.

When you're following a group of teens struggling with drug and
alcohol addictions, such calls are expected. Indeed, they were
encouraged, with a production crew on stand-by 24 hours a day. The six
Regina teens who are the subject of a new 13-part,
made-in-Saskatchewan television series called Drug Class were given
cellphones and urged to use them day or night.

"Real life is unpredictable at best . . . In the recovery world, it's
even more unpredictable so we had to roll with whatever was coming at
us," said Pytlyk, the director and editor of Drug Class. He describes
the new reality-like series, which will premiere on the Saskatchewan
Communications Network on Thursday at 10 p.m., as a mix of
information, entertainment and education.

Those behind the production by Regina-based Cooper Rock Pictures Inc.
are hoping the half-hour episodes will provide their own wake-up call.

"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 former
teacher initiated the project to reach out to people beyond his classrooms.

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. So if we can help them go from harmful use to use which is
less harmful, then we've accomplished something," said Teed, adding
some will eventually quit.

To find series participants, Teed approached teens with whom he had
previously worked and also got the support of their families.

The teens, aged about 16 to 18, are identifiable but use only their
first name.

They include Kristie, who suffered a near-fatal ecstasy overdose;
Travis, who turns to self-mutilation in a misguided attempt to feel
better; and Cyara, who suffers from depression after a major marijuana
problem.

Each participant, in addition to the cellphone, was given a camcorder
so they could record their own "personal diary" for the program.

While the project began in 2006, most of the filming was done between
April and June last year. Further shooting was done more recently as
people's stories evolved.

Pytlyk noted the teens have their problems, but are trying to do
something about them. "For some of them, doing the TV show was that
one positive thing ... 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.

She 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 look at a new group of teens and
topics.