STUDENTS DRAWING THE LINE ON DRUGS

Students in the integrated arts Grade 9 drama class at Peterborough
Collegiate and Vocational Institute are performing a play on drug awareness

(PETERBOROUGH) The curtain opens. The lights go up. Cue the piano. A
young woman begins acting out the scene.

She's at a party. Her friends leave her for awhile. She meets up with
a guy named Brian, or Bruce. She can't remember. He gives her a pill.
She thinks it's an Advil. It's really Oxycodone. A simple mistake
leads her down a terrible road. One friend turns on her, the other
doesn't know how to help her. She's terrified. She's sick.

The woman is lying on her back on the stage. She's not moving. There
is no sound coming from the stage.

End of scene.

Cue the lights.

This is the scene that Grade 9 student Michelle Kelly has to act out
in a play called Drawing the Line.

The play is entirely written and produced by students in the
integrated arts Grade 9 drama class at Peterborough Collegiate
Vocational School (PCVS).

Student Elizabeth Diniz says the play is about drug awareness and the
consequences of taking drugs.

Instead of focusing on marijuana use, this play deals with opiods,
which are strong painkillers that can be highly addictive. Types of
opioids include Oxycodone, Codeine, Morphine, Methadone and Hydromorphone.

"We don't want to be preachy," explains Elizabeth, who is
co-directing the play with teacher Tracey Hughes.

Vanessa Archieri, stage manager, describes the play as very visual.
In some scenes, there is no talking at all.

"In schools I think it [drugs] is a big problem. If you bring drugs
into schools it brings a lot of consequences for you and your friends."

Michelle describes her scene as difficult to play.

"I'm hoping people know more about the effects of drugs," she explains.

"I think people will realize it's not just telling them to not do
drugs. It's more about spreading awareness."

Principal Denise Severin says for the last three years the integrated
arts Grade 9 drama class has been putting on a play that tackles
difficult themes. The partners in this year's play include the city
police, the local health unit, the Peterborough Drug Awareness
Coalition and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

"This has been a fabulous experience for the students," says Ms Severin.

"It gives them a real opportunity to explore a production from
beginning to end."

Ms Severin says the play is about awareness and education students is
far more effective that saying, "don't do drugs but I say so.'

"I think it's more broad based and will have more staying power."

She notes prescription drugs, such as opiods, are a big issue right
now in the community.

"We're really trying to get ahead of the curve."

Elementary school students from across the board will be bussed to
PCVS on April 7, 8 and 9 to watch the play for free. An evening show
for the general public takes place April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the PCVS
auditorium. Tickets for the evening show cost $5.

For more information please call 742-0425 ext.213.