Pubdate: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Prince George Citizen Contact: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350 Author: Frank Peebles Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) DRUG SHOW TARGETS TEENS The youth lifestyle is hyper-active, music-based, fast-paced, hip-hop influenced and fashion-conscious, and has now been harnessed to tell young people the story of drug addiction. Green Thumb Theatre's hip-hop performance 'Cranked' is coming to Prince George this week, and a public forum has been added so after people see it they can talk about it and put the local drug scene out on the table a little better. The show and discussion is being hosted by the District Parent Advisory Council. 'Cranked' has won awards and praise for its edgy style and raw depiction of one youth's life with and without crystal meth. "Stan a.k.a. 'Definition' was a rising freestyle MC who loses it all because of his meth habit," said Green Thumb in a written statement. "He confronts his demons as he preps for an upcoming competition without the 'fix' that has dominated his life. Memories of the highs and the rush of music all collide as he struggles to recapture what he once had.' DPAC chair Dale Laluk said the play caught the attention of local parents at a meeting of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC). Their choice to bring it to Prince George was reinforced last week when DPAC held a gang-awareness session with the local RCMP and filled the hall with interested parents and teens. There is a clear thirst for this information right now, Laluk said. "The philosophy we're taking is not to limit the discussion to meth, but drugs in general. Like our RCMP gang presentation brought out for us, the police know who the gang players are, they need evidence to deal with them and the public to be educated so they know what to look for. And the advise we have from the RCMP is the gangs drop drug pushers off at the schools towards the end of the day to do dealing." Once 'Cranked' is finished, there will be a feedback period. Parents and youth will be separated for some small group dialogue, then come back together for a broad discussion. DPAC will have representatives from the RCMP, Northern Health, and Street Spirits Theatre Company on-hand to keep the discussion lively and meaningful. 'Cranked' will happen Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Vanier Hall, one show only. On Friday 'Cranked' will be staged again in Valemount at Valemount secondary school at 1:30 p.m. A $10-per-family donation will be suggested, with proceeds going to Street Spirits, but Laluk said nobody will be refused if they can't afford the price, it is only a suggested door charge. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom