When Brian Koven, teacher of Skeena Junior
Secondary’s Theatre Arts Program, was asked why
drinking and driving was chosen as the target for
this year’s Theatre Arts production, he referred to.
the quotes on the page opposite.

Koven says that the. provincial average shows

80%: of. high school students: are casual ‘drinkers —

(occasional weekends) and 30% are heavy drinkers

(every weekend). Northern communities often-have ©

a higher than average percentage. Koven cites a lack

of alcohol éducation in the schools and a lack of |

CounterAttack programs directed at students ‘as a,
cause for the high numbers of alcohol use among
students.

Koven feels statistics prove that drinking and
driving CounterAttack is not reaching the teenagers.
He says the posters are where the students can see
them, but they. are not changing their attitude. One
reason he cites is that no teenagers are visible in the
CounterAttack posters or commercials. Another
reason is that teenagers are a verbal group and you:

have to get them talking to get them thinking. He .

says it is important to remember that teenagers are
more receptive to what their peers say and do than

the opinions of adults. That is what. Project Steer |

‘Clear.is meant to-focus on. -

Koven says that the Insurance Corporation of 7

B.C, currently has available three productions that
are aimed at students. Two of those are poor quality

and the third, which is somewhat better, is aimed at.
the senior high level. Koven believes children need to

. be reached at the junior high and even elementary

school level, before their thinking: and behaviour
patterns become set. '
_ Koven says they have stayed away. from using |
police, parents or any other adult character in
Project Steer Clear. He says that when watching
videos with his students, the one: that made the
biggest impact was one called "Friends" which was’
simply a boy telling his story. The students were
touched by the fact they could hurt or kill a friend
and it hit them on a very emotional level. The skits
they have developed into Project Steer Clear have
sprung from that idea that it could be someone close

- +0 you: that could be a victim of your irresponsibility.

He also says they have avoided moraglizing and
try simply to show it like it is, or even better than it
is, so the students can see that the facade of drinking
being cool and carrying with it no responsibilities i is .
false.

Project Steer Clear will have two target groups.
One Theatre Arts class is working on presenting a
play that will be directed towards students i in Grades
5-7. The second class will present a production aimed

_ toward Grades 8-10.
' The play: designed for the younger students
depicts a situation. involving an older brother caus-
ing a death by drinking and driving. Elementary =>

R.E.M. Lee Theatre ~
« April 25, 2 p.m. — Northwest Community College

§ graduation ceremonies.

» April 26, 8 p.m. RCMP Concert Band, sponsored by
Theatre Alive.

« May 10, 8 p.m. — Miss Terrace Pageant

The Terrace Inn, Gigi's Pub

« Until April 25 — Carolyn & the Cadillacs

« April 27-May9-—The Outriders

Northern Motor Inn, George’s Pub |

« Until April 25 —- Reg Alexander - a,
+ April 27-May 16 — Rick Mean , te
Terrace Public Art Gallery

« Until April 26 —- Mood Swings and Messages, racent works
by sisters Joanne Thomson and Vikki MacKay.

McColl Playhouse ©

plays Under Control and The Glass Bottle presented by the
Terrace Little Theatre.

| Northwest Arts And Entertainment Calendar

+ April 24/25 — Piano bar with Gordie Larkin & Scott Easton |

‘« April 24/25 — “a showing of original oil paintings by Don |
— .Weir.
' Terrace Community Band —_.
. + April 25, 8 p.m. ~ 2nd Annual Spring Fling - dancing, .
_ fabulous: desserts, musical variety, entertainment at the Elks |

* April 30- May} 2,7, 8, 9, 8 p.m. — 2-Night with two one-act + April 24, 7 p.m. - Dancin’ Magic, by students of Electric

Bavarian Inn
+ April 25 — Easter Hop dine and dance.
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 13

andthe Singles, 7
Northern Light Studio .

Hall.

Kitimat Centennial Museum.

« Until May 9 - The Tale of Two Garbage Cans, anda diet to
reduce the unwanted volume of garbage in your household.
Prince Rupert’s Performing Arts Centre

‘Dance. «
» May 9—- 5th Annual B.C. Jazz Dance competition.

This column Is sponsored by —

efits ie
se eet BOER
he Sein

Ey 'Y 3 fi
i 1 Bs
— ce

Sees se

aren 3