From Harford County government:
The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy is sponsoring two free presentations of the play “Addicted” on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church, 1643 E. Churchville Road in Bel Air. This powerful, eye-opening drama drew more than 800 people to performances at North Harford High School last week and won heartfelt praise from audience members. Written and directed by North Harford High school psychologist Christle Henzel and performed by students and alumni, “Addicted” reveals the true impact of drug and alcohol abuse on individual users, their relationships and their families. The cast was recently featured on television in an ABC2 News special report on heroin in Maryland communities.
Performances of “Addicted” are open to the general public; however, parental discretion is advised due to the play’s subject matter aimed at high school students and adults, which may not be appropriate for children under the age of 13.
The Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) is a division of the Harford County Department of Community Services and is Harford County’s Lead Prevention Agency. If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact the ODCP at 410-638-3333.
I’m still hoping the group gets permission to perform the play at all Harford County high schools. Great job…..an awesome public service!
This is a great idea to make this production available to the high schools.. Is there anything I can do to help you get do this? Can I make calls, write letters/emails, etc?
I would really like to see this go forward and I am willing to help you achieve this.
The subject matter is exposed to middle and elementary students on a daily basis. They should be allowed to view this work without censorship. In addition to the High Schools, the middle and elementary schools should be included. Perhaps elementary and middle school sponsored trips to see High School productions would be one way to do it.
Parental Guidance is not censorship. It is what it should be. It will never be shown at high schools just look at the Chocolate War fiasco and the Havre de Grace play a few years back!
Studies show that many kids are exposed to this prior to the age of 13. Children of that age should be encouraged to go. It may go against a parent’s sensibilities, but if it helps prevent them finding their child OD’d in their room with a needle in their arm a few years down the road? So be it.
Whether or not parents want to expose their children to this is moot considering they are going to be exposed to it one way or another. Why not control the message?
This kind of intervention is only effective if there is parental guidance. A discussion needs to be had with the kid afterwards.
Nice thinking but PG is needed!
You are right. Young children do need parental guidance. I stand corrected.
What I’d like to know is why local government is even involved with this? Prevention as well as treatment efforts should be managed through the local health department. Of course our local government has its hand in many things it shouldn’t.
Who do you think the health department is run by – the local government. This is a good thing. Ignorance is not bliss in this situation and knowing what is out there is the power that will eventually stop the problem. We must all do what we can to prevent our children from falling into drug use. And by allowing them to see their peers support the effort is effective.
Gulch, you are an idiot. You are trying to act like some convicted conservative. Something like this falls squarely in the realm of local government. The local health department IS part of local government.
Are you suggesting that a public service message such as this should be privately funded? Is “public health” now a private concern?