Dealing with drug deaths

Pike’s DA office funds 10 percent of the dramatic program

By TOM KANE

MILFORD, PA - A group of volunteers, with the support of Pike County’s Child Care Information Services, has received a grant to purchase a training program for youths and their parents to battle drug abuse.

The program, called the Reality Tour Drug Prevention Program, aims to lessen the deaths of young people from drug use by means of dramatic scenes around drug abuse.

“We have reviewed the causes of deaths in children and teens in the county and decided to adopt this program as a measure to prevent or lessen them,” said Jill Jamboni of Pike County’s Child Care Information Services.

The program, which involves play-acting of scenes that unfold around real-time drug addiction, is an evidence-based program, Jamboni said. “That means the program is based on research and has been proven to be effective.”

Experienced actors are not necessary, she said. “These are not theatrical performances but rather the onlookers are in close contact with the actors and the scene. In rare cases, a probation officer, counselor or guardian attends in place of the parent, Jamboni said.

The target group is youth between the ages of 10 and 16 and their parents. The program is being promoted in the state by a non-profit group called Community Action Network For Drug Free Lifestyle Empowerment Inc, or CANDLE of Butler, PA.

The program, which is funded by the Commonwealth Attorney General’s office, dramatizes four scenarios: a peer-pressure scene, an arrest scene, an overdose scene and a funeral scene. The Pike County District Attorney office paid 10 percent of the cost, Jamboni said.

“The actors will be volunteers from local schools and are given training in how to dramatize each scene,” she said.

The Reality Tour, which has been performed successfully in Butler County in three locations, will enlist students from Delaware Valley High School’s Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), which works to highlight the dangers of smoking.

Parents must participate in viewing these scenes with their children and discuss their reactions immediately after the performances.

The group plans to perform at the First Presbyterian Church in Milford with additional performances at the Milford Fire Hall.

The grant of $3,500 for a five-year license pays for materials and promotional post cards, Jamboni said. An annual renewal fee and copyright compliance costs $500.

For further information call Jamboni at 570/296-3447.