A play/workshop with supporting resources devised in early 2005 about the effect of legal drugs on individuals, families and communities – targeting years 9/10 and above. ‘Ash’ examines the background to the ‘binge’ culture which dominates the lives of many teenagers and adults in today’s society and the way in which legal drugs are particularly affecting the mental and physical health of our communities.

Matt, Danni and Eve are three 16 year olds starting sixth form college and encountering the many and diverse pressures and pleasures of mid adolescence. Eve is struggling to cope with the death of her father due to a smoking related illness, Danni is chronically shy and lacking in self esteem while Matt is on the receiving end of homophobic bullying which has followed him from school to college. All three friends attempt to use alcohol to cope with and manage their feelings – with ultimately violent and disastrous consequences.

In a culture in which binge/polydrug use is increasingly common, this project is intended to create a forum in which teenagers and adults can reflect on the possible consequences of their own legal drug use and the avoidance strategies and support/treatment options available to those developing a problem.