CHESANING PERFORMANCE HITS HARD AT DRUG USE

The basketball team is winning and focused on capturing the state
championship.

But then, three players are caught drinking, and the coach suspends
them.

In response, irate school officials demand that the coach reinstate
the boys.

This scenario is part of the "Winning Season" presentation that
members of the Chesaning Association of Performing Arts will present
during an evening of hard-hitting skits and plays on the dangers and
consequences of drug and alcohol use -- not just for the abusers, but
also for families and communities.

The event begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium at Chesaning
Middle School, 431 N. Fourth. The show is free, but donations are accepted.

In addition to the play, the evening also will include a series of
skits that fall under "A Balancing Act" -- a dozen presentations that
range from peer pressure at parties, escaping pain through substance
abuse, steroids and athletics, adult children of alcoholics, drinking
and driving and making choices.

Organizers also will set up booths filled with information about
substance abuse, drug testing kits, signs and symptoms of substance
abuse and how to help a drug abuser.

A panel discussion and a question-and-answer period will follow the
shows.

Nationally, this week is Red Ribbon Week in honor of Enrique Camarena,
a drug enforcement agent who died in the line of duty in 1985.
Officials are encouraging communities to band together to fight drug
use.

"Our principal, Dave Lewis, wanted to do something to get the message
out about drug and alcohol awareness," said Stacey Woodworth, at-risk
coordinator at Chesaning High School. "These vignettes will impact
everyone."

About 35 High School students are involved in the production. The
skits portray teens and adults making poor choices and facing tough
decisions, Woodworth said.

Because of the mature themes, parental guidance is suggested,
Woodworth said.

"The content is mature, so you don't want parents dropping off their
kids for the show," Woodworth said, adding the presentation is
appropriate for those middle-school age and older.

Because the actors don't have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, the
students had to do plenty of studying.

"They've watched movies on drug use and done a lot of research," she
said. "They've really stepped to the plate."

The drama group also is doing performances at other schools, including
Montrose High School on Thursday. The group is open to perform for
other schools until early November, she said.