SCN INVITES YOU TO DRUG CLASS

SCN today launched a new made-in-Saskatchewan series aimed at helping Saskatchewan youth understand the effects of drugs and alcohol. Drug Class will premiere on SCN on Thursday, February 21 at 10 p.m.

"As Saskatchewan's own public educational broadcaster, SCN frequently provides viewers with programs that offer expert views on issues that Saskatchewan people say are priorities," Minister responsible for SCN Christine Tell said. "By showing real Saskatchewan teens learning from a Saskatchewan substance abuse expert, Drug Class provides relevant, localized information to help overcome a serious issue in our province."

Drug Class was inspired by Rand Teed, a former high school teacher who now educates youth about the effects of substance use. The series focuses on Teed's student workshops, as he works with several Regina teens to address the real-life impact of using drugs and alcohol. Teed also participated in the documentary Ted's Story: Honouring Melissa and in SCN's 2006 series Straight Talk.

Drug Class is produced by Lori Kuffner, president of Regina-based Cooper Rock Pictures, who also produced Ted's Story: Honouring Melissa and Struggle and Emerge: The Pere Athol Murray Story. "Based on a harm-reduction approach, Drug Class reaches out to Saskatchewan youth and their parents with an honest look at how using drugs and alcohol affects lives," Kuffner said. "The series was made possible thanks to support from SCN, Shaw Rocket Fund, SaskFilm Documentary Fund, Saskatchewan Health, Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit, Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit and The Co-Operators."

Drug Class, a 13-part series, premieres on SCN at 10 p.m. on Thursday, February 21.

SCN is Saskatchewan's Storyteller, reaching 90 per cent of Saskatchewan households. SCN delivers commercial-free stories that build pride in Saskatchewan by showcasing the unique people, places and culture of our province to audiences across Canada.

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For more information, contact:

Ranjan Thakre
Saskatchewan Communications Network
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0490
Email: rthakre@scn.ca
Cell: 306-539-5769