This month over 2000 pupils from across Caerphilly County Borough have seen a hard hitting play performed by their peers.
‘Wings to Fly’ is now in its 18th year after being penned by Margaret Rooney, a former Arts Development Officer for Caerphilly County Borough Council in 1996.
The drama tackles the consequences of substance abuse by portraying the story of 14 year old ‘Penguin’ who experiments with drugs after yielding to peer-pressure.
The play is unique each year as it is performed by the current cast of Caerphilly Youth Theatre giving them the experience of performing in a real theatre whilst educating their peers.
The play is aimed at Year 6 pupils (aged 10-11) and was initiated by Blackwood Crime Prevention Panel as part of a joint project to tackle drug use across Caerphilly County Borough.
Cllr David Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services said, “It is a testament to the original creative thinking behind this project that nearly twenty years later it is engaging young people in the difficult conversation about substance misuse.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, said: “I would like to wish Wings to Fly a very Happy 18th Birthday. I recently attended one of the performances which I thought was wonderful. Hard-hitting theatre plays such as this one are a very useful resource for warning young people about the dangers and the tragic consequences of substance abuse.
We are only too aware of the devastating impact that addiction can have on families and our local communities. We want less victims of crime in our communities and productions such as this one can help young people to see the impact of substance abuse for themselves and hopefully help them to make the right decision about drugs or alcohol if or when the time comes.”
Caerphilly Partnership Sergeant, Rob Davies, said: “I have seen the play develop over the years and watched the faces of the young people captivated by the message, which is so well delivered by the cast of the play.
“I’m convinced that this portrayal of the effects of drug taking has had a positive impact on young people in our community and equipped them to make the correct choices when and if they are faced with drug misuse in their futures. It is a credit to all concerned that ‘Wings to Fly’ lives on and I know that future generations will benefit from the message contained within its story.”
The play targets children as they make the sometimes difficult transition from Primary to Secondary Education arming them with the information needed to help the children make the right choices when if drugs start being used around them.
