DEA To Sponsor Off-Script Play For Valley High School As Part Of The 360 Strategy To Address Prescription Opioid And Heroin Abuse
Event will take place at Valley High School on April 19, 2016 at 11:10 a.m. & 12:45 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA - Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Philadelphia Division announced today that the DEA will sponsor a play entitled Off-Script for the junior and senior high school students of Valley High School as part of the DEA’s ongoing 360 Strategy to address prescription opioid and heroin abuse in Western Pennsylvania.
Off-Script, a production of Saltworks Theater Company, is a play about the misuse of prescription opioids. The play features three high school students, an athlete, a scholar, and drug dealer; their stories of addiction to prescription opioids and heroin; the consequences of their actions; and their journey to recovery.
In November 2015, the DEA announced Pittsburgh as the first pilot city in the nation where the 360 Strategy would be implemented. The goals of the 360 Strategy include stopping the deadly cycle of prescription opioid and heroin abuse by eliminating the drug trafficking organizations fueling violence on the streets and addiction in communities. The strategy also includes partnering with healthcare professionals and engaging and strengthening community and social service organizations that are best positioned to provide long-term help and support for building drug-free communities.
“This is the most important age group for us to reach in addressing this deadly epidemic,” said Tuggle. “Education and awareness that is relevant to high school students is crucial in helping them understand the dangers of prescription opioid and heroin abuse.” On March 30, 2016, the DEA sponsored Off-Script for over 600 students at Mount Pleasant High School as part of the 360 Strategy.
Saltworks Theater Company is a non-profit professional arts company based in Pittsburgh that addresses the needs of children, youth, and families through the performance of contemporary dramatic works such as Off-Script. For more information about Saltworks Theater Company, please visit www.saltworks.org.
Members of the media wanting to attend Off-Script or information about the 360 Strategy are asked to contact DEA Public Information Officer/Special Agent Patrick J. Trainor at (215) 852-8740 or patrick.j.trainor@usdoj.gov.
