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.
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