A new study found that theatrical drama is a helpful educational tool in the fight against drug addiction and abuse.

The research was conducted by researchers at the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) led by Allyn Howlett and graduate student Aileen Stephens-Hernandez.

The research followed the staging of the play Tunnels - a series of six vignettes depicting the effects of Alcohol and drug abuse, over half of the audience left the theatre wanting to get involved directly in drug and Alcohol prevention in their homes and communities.

Tunnels was inspired by 'life stories' developed by counsellors and researchers working in the substance abuse field and by Howard Craft, the local playwright who authored the play. The production was performed six times under the direction of Karen Dacons-Brock at North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

The audience were asked to fill a 22-questions' survey as they entered the theatre lobby, together with a further post-performance survey. A follow-up telephone survey was then carried out three months after the play was shown, to assess people's participation in preventing drug abuse.

Researchers found that almost everyone reported some involvement in prevention, either by generating discussions among their families and friends, or within their community, by making charitable donations to organizations fighting addiction.

Discussions of drug and Alcohol use and abuse can be difficult, and Howlett et al. have shown that plays and other forms of entertainment should be considered useful tools to help education and communication about these life-threatening issues.

"Prevention begins with the awareness that the problem of drug and Alcohol abuse exists in our culture, and that each of us can make an impact on this problem within the family unit and other close social networks," Howlett said.