DRUG USE FOCUS OF GLENCOE MAN'S FIRST FEATURE-LENGTH FILM

The bitter and stark reality of a life involving drug abuse was the
focus of a feature-length film produced by director, Iain Laird of Glencoe.

In his first film, Pound of Pure, Laird captures the veracity of the
lifestyle, with a unique look into the lives of addicts.

The film, which was screened privately at Silver City Theatre in
London last Thursday, stars Bothwell native Andrew Robinson.
Robinson's lead character indulges in a life of drug abuse and drug dealing.

Laird's work, filmed mostly in Glencoe and London, received a mixed
response from audience members, but Laird said that response was what
he was looking for.

"Drugs and that lifestyle are rather common, even in our small
communities, and I wanted the audience to see the stark reality of
what it can become, but I also wanted the audience to be able to
interpret the movie for themselves," Laird said.

"Everyone has their reasons why they either choose to turn to drugs
or choose stay away from them altogether, and I wanted people to be
able to see a bit of the reality that goes with either path they chose."

Laird, who graduated from Glencoe District High School in 2006, said
the film's concept came to him as he watched many of his friends turn
to drug use and how their lives quickly went out of control.

"I personally have never had a desire to try drugs, but I have seen
the impact of how quickly drug users can become ensnared in the
turmoil that goes with this activity."

Robinson, who is a fellow graduate and long-time friend, said when
Laird approached him with the idea of the film, he also felt the need
to get the word out about the addictive nature of drug use.

"Like Iain, I've never experimented with drugs, but I've seen the all
true realism of the nature of the beast within my own hometown of
Bothwell, and even in Glencoe," Robinson said.

"I've heard too often from people in our communities that there is
not a problem with drugs in our local schools, but I've seen for
myself that there is, and I took this role hoping the younger
generations can see what can become of them if they do drugs and also
for the general public to realize that this is a problem even in our
small towns."

While both Laird and Robinson have chosen to not use drugs, they both
say they had to do a lot of research into the drug culture to make the film.

"To portray someone who is an abuser, I had to learn the behaviour of
a user as well as adapt the look of someone who is addicted," Robinson said.

He said that at times he went several days without sleep so he could
have the glassy-eyed look of a drug user.

"Iain was also a great in helping me to become the addicted teenager
as he also spent hours researching and even spoke to the police about
the drug world and what they experience in raids and such." While the
film was shown in a private viewing in London, Laird is hoping his
film will be featured in the Toronto Film Festival and will be able
to release it to the public.

"This is something that people of all ages need to see and I hope
everyone who watches the film can walk away with a little more
insight into what can become of a drug addict."