News Feature                                                          For Immediate Release

                                                                                                              December 20, 2006

Crystal Clear: Death By Meth

The audience was totally captivated with Crystal Clear: Death By Meth.  This youth driven production traces how everyday kids become hooked by the claws of Meth. The acting was impeccable and the light and sound crew made the performance exceptional.

Six youth from West Hill Secondary School researched and wrote the original script in the spring of 2006. Three of the writers, in collaboration with eight other performers, revamped the script resulting in the current production. A cast and crew of 19 youth prepared this extracurricular play on their own time under the guidance of drama teacher/director Lisa Billings. Performed in November during Drug Awareness Week, Crystal Clear: Death By Meth sent a powerful message to over 900 grade nine students at Georgian Bay, Grey Highlands and West Hill Secondary Schools.

This compelling drama showed local students the seriousness of this highly addictive substance that can wreak havoc on the human body and affect family and friends. Crystal Meth is also known as jib, crank, or tina on the street. Meth is made of many things you would find under your kitchen sink. All have the poison warning, skull and cross bones, all over them yet people are still ingesting this highly addictive and deadly substance.

Crystal Clear: Death By Meth was organized by Grey Bruce FOCUS and the youth-driven group Substance Abuse Action Committee (SAAC). The follow-up to the production included an open discussion facilitated by SAAC chair Lindsay Robinson. Local paramedic Ian Graham and counselor Dave Roy, from CHOICES Drug and Alcohol Counselling for Youth, fielded some very thoughtful questions from the audiences about Crystal Meth and other substance abuse issues.

For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Attachments: Photo of Cast Members and Director Crystal Clear: Death By Meth

BACK ROW (left to right):   Meghan Wiley, Micky Weppler, Keira Danard, Avery Holmes, Lisa Billings (director).

FRONT ROW:     Caitlin Beaton, Laura Campbell, Abby Drimmie, Eric Braul, Drew Morrison, George Kelley, Andre McEvenue.

For more information:

Lindsay Robinson R.N., BSc.N.

Chair-Substance Abuse Action Committee

Public Health Nurse

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 465