AN INTERACTIVE METH MESSAGE

Kayla Cardinal is no stranger to the devastating effects of crystal meth.

Two years ago, the 17-year-old began experimenting with the deadly
drug, which quickly spiraled into a full-scale addiction.

Miraculously, Cardinal was able to beat the odds and change her life
around after admitting herself into a 28-day rehab clinic.

Today, she's one of six actors in Meth, an innovative theatrical
production produced by Headlines Theatre, touring 27 communities
throughout B.C.

On Jan. 15 she'll perform onstage in Chilliwack at the Tzeachten
Hall, where the concept for the production was first conceived.

Last January, David Diamond, the founder and producer of the
Vancouver-based Headlines Theatre company, was invited onto the Skwah
Reserve for a meeting to discuss the growing concern of crystal meth,
organized by Marion Robinson of the Fraser Basin Council with Skwah
First Nation Band Councilor Lester Mussell and other community
leaders of the Stolo Nation.

"Meth has a severe impact on individuals and communities. We're
starting to see the devastating impact and know that it's only going
to get worse," said Diane Garner, chair of Chilliwack's Drug Action
Task Force, who is also co-ordinating the event. "There is a whole
generation being lost in a slow genocide. There is a great deal of
pain, people sad, and many things are not being talked about."

Robinson was tired of the conventional community forums and
presentations on the effects of crystal meth as she felt neither were
doing anything to help the situation.

"We already know what addiction looks like and what happens, but we
wanted to take that next step and get to the root of the problem. We
wanted to let the community tell its story."

Garner and Robinson turned to a Vancouver-based theatre company for its help.

In 1992, Headlines Theatre had toured B.C. with Out of the Silence, a
play that elders in many First Nations communities still talk about
as having brought the issues of sexual abuse out of the darkness and
into the light.

The production was interactive, offering the audience the opportunity
to deal with the issues of family violence at a community, grassroots level.

Skwah wanted Headlines to try to do the same thing but with the issue
of meth addiction-a challenge that Diamond gladly accepted.

The result is a unique forum theatre production with real material.

Rather than put forward a preachy message, it engages the community
in making meaningful choices.

"It's about putting the truth out there," said Cardinal of the play,
which encourages audience members to jump on stage. "I love being
part of this type of theatre . . . each time we get on stage is different."

At any point that the audience sees a character in a struggle, they
can yell "stop!" and jump onstage to replace the character.

"Although the message is serious, it's really also a lot of fun,"
Diamond said. "I hope it generates lots of discussions that bubble
out into the community, at work and at the dinner table for weeks and weeks.

* Meth is a free event for the public. A dinner is served at 5 p.m.
on January 15 and the play starts at 7 p.m. Those wanting to attend
are advised to reserve seats.For reservations call Donna at the Skwah
First Nations at 604-792-9204. For more information about Meth visit
www.headlinestheatre.com.