Posted on 06/17/2006 1:23:19 PM PDT by BenLurkin
PALMDALE - Drunken driving is among the leading causes of death among teens in Southern California. To combat this, a theater group is producing a series of plays aimed at dissuading students from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. The Palmdale Playhouse hosted the student-run production on Thursday night.
New Vista and Juniper middle schools each sent students to the performance.
The presentation started with a series of video interviews with people whose lives were impacted by drunk drivers.
A game of jeopardy followed, with categories related to alcohol and drug use.
Commercial breaks were a series of public service announcements once again telling about the dangers of drinking and drug use.
"Always when you have young people trying to do something good not only for adults but mostly for themselves, it's always good," Felty said.
About two dozen students participated in the performance.
Felty estimated the audience as between 60 and 70 people, mostly parents and other family members of the performers.
He said the theatrical approach is a good idea because it gives students a space to talk about drug and alcohol abuse - and the dangers of even one too many drinks - in their own way with their own language.
"Adults can sit and talk to kids for days and days and days, and nothing gets through," Felty said.
"When their own kind do it, it's a different story."
Felty and other Playhouse staff said they were pleased to offer their venue for the performance.
"For us at the playhouse, we're very much for community awareness and education. We'd like to do many more things like this," said Felty, who worked on the show. "I always learn something when I'm with kids like that."
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
Not necessarily.
"When their own kind do it, it's a different story."
Not necessarily.
Just like weight lose or stopping smoking, each must make the decision on their own.
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