Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jul 2005 Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU) Copyright: 2005 Pacific Daily News Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.guampdn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122 Author: Charles Bryans Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) 'TINAILAYI' TO GET REAL ABOUT DRUG ABUSE Ben Manalisay is a loving husband and father of two. But when he allows himself to become addicted to drugs, his family life deteriorates. As his addiction to crystal methamphetamine grows, he becomes more abusive toward his family. His life changes forever and affects those around him. Ben Manalisay is a fictional character in the upcoming play, "Tinailayi," but his situation with the drug "ice" is all too real for some families on Guam. The play, written by local playwright Peter Onedera and directed by Peter Jon "Makahna" Duenas, opens tomorrow night at the Guam Reef Hotel's Pandanus ballroom. The performances aim to be as realistic as possible, said George Salas, who plays the lead role and is the development director of Sanctuary Inc. Because of its explicit content, which includes violence, profanity and screaming, he is reminding audiences that children should be accompanied by an adult. Despite the advisory, Duenas said he thinks teens should attend the play because many teens experience or encounter drugs in their lives. Salas said he hopes that it will help the community wake up to the dangers of drug abuse in the island community. "Hopefully, people will realize that they need to be strong, become involved and speak out," said Salas. When the play was performed in 2000, Salas said, many people came up to the cast after their shows to talk about drug abuse in their families and lives. He said that Sanctuary crisis team members will be available at the show for advice or to just to listen. - ---