Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Jeremiah Smith, center, talks about methamphetamine awareness with Eagle Valley Middle School students Tuesday afternoon. Smith, and several members of the Potters House Christian Church were handing out fliers to Carson City students to invite them to the free play, "The Life of Crystal," which will be 8 p.m. Friday at the Plaza Motel Conference Center.
Sam Bakkle was reading about Gov. Jim Gibbons' meth task force when he came up with an idea.
He wanted to help in the efforts of keeping people off methamphetamine by bringing attention to its harmful and addictive ways.
"I wanted to create a pre-emptive strike, and with that, have some people determine to not use (meth) at all," Bakkle said.
Bakkle and Solid Rock Productions will present "The Life of Crystal," a play whose actors are former meth users.
"I started talking with users and ex-users about doing this play. We like to target communities that have a meth problem. We just want to help.
"Nevada is known for being the first at a lot of things. We don't want to be No. 1 for this."
Bakkle, 49, said there are 10 actors in the play; six men and four women. Solid Rock Productions performs other plays throughout the Southwest and uses drama and music videos for their anti-gang and anti-drug message.
"Dawn Gibbons attended the preview on March 10 and said she was impressed, enough that she wrote us a letter of endorsement," Bakkle said. "We're trying to help their (Gov. and Mrs. Gibbons') efforts."
The task force consists of a 16-member group appointed by Gov. Gibbons. In his executive order creating the task force, Gibbons directed them to study the impact of methamphetamine on the state's law enforcement, corrections and social and community services.
"I thought the play was very well done," said the first lady. "I thought the actors were professional, they were so good.
"I talked with them afterward, and they said they are all former addicts, just playing themselves."
Gibbons said the best thing to fight meth is to get the message out about the dangers of using it so people never try it in the first place.
"It is difficult to get the word out," she added. "We need to show the true side of meth and how dangerous it is.
"I've been told 90 percent of those who try (meth) are addicted the first time."
Gibbons said she thinks the play will help deter some from trying the drug.
"The play is done by addicts, reformed addicts. They understand what will work and what will not work.
"When they are asked what could have been done to prevent them from trying it the first time, they said, 'Not anything.' They didn't know how dangerous it is.
"We need to keep the community focused on this problem, keep it alive. Parents have to be diligent about where their kids are and who they're hanging around with. Addiction happens very quickly."
The play is set for 8 p.m. Friday at the Plaza Hotel Conference Center. Admission is free. There will be information on methamphetamine and how to get help available during the play.
"We offer users a one-step program to get clean," Bakkle said. "That one thing will be told at the end of the play."
• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
If you go
WHAT: "The Life of Crystal"
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Plaza Hotel Conference Center, 211 E. Ninth St.
COST: Free; presented by Solid Rock Productions
CALL: 721-5584
On the Net
http://www.ag.state.nv.us/upcoming/agendas.htm
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