In October, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) debuted their fourth ethnodrama in Durham entitled “Kites,” showcasing the diverse voices and lived experiences of opioid users. An ethnodrama is a theatrical staging of research data into dialogue that resembles a traditional play to portray people’s experiences to inform the audience credibly and persuasively.
To address the toil and pain of the ongoing opioid epidemic, this ethnodrama was developed in collaboration with NCCU’s professor of psychology Jonathan Livingston, PhD, performed by NCCU students, and written by local playwright and artist Dasan Ahanu. It featured dance, music, Public Service Announcements, and monologues, followed by a panel discussion about the epidemic afterward. Admission was free for the three performances held at NCCU and in the community at the Hayti Heritage Center during the weekend of Oct. 14-16.
Bringing health awareness to Durham’s Black community, the ethnodramas in the last four years have received funding from Duke CTSI in partnership with NCCU. The Duke-NCCU Bridge Office — a new and ongoing partnership between Duke and NCCU — was also a sponsor.
Directed by Stephanie Howard, chair of NCCU’s theater department, the play comes at a time when overdose deaths have increased by 44% in Black communities and 86% among its younger demographic ages 15-24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These numbers are higher than any other racial group.
“We have to have a hard conversation about our medical system,” Howard told the News & Observer. “The stage gives equity to everyone’s story being told.”
Fentanyl — a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin — has also been a major concern among opioid use and addiction. The use of marijuana laced with fentanyl among young people and those in college is a growing concern in healthcare as deaths from this combination are rising.
After the play, audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions to a panel featuring experts on addiction and resources for battling substance abuse.
Morgyn Herd, a panelist and NCCU senior studying early childhood education, lost her mother to weed laced with fentanyl in January and said she greatly admired the performance.
“Tonight was just incredible,” Herd said. “I really appreciate the performance, it was beautiful.”
Herd also shared how college can be a very vulnerable time for young adults when they are away from their families. She emphasized that students needed to be careful on campus and should be aware of the dangers of weed laced with fentanyl.
Another panelist was Wanda Boone, DTh, the founding director of Together for Resilient Youth (TRY), a coalition of Durham-based community organizations. TRY seeks to address underlying issues of substance abuse, crime, and violence while working to reduce these issues in the local community.
“Parents, talk to your children about opioids and other substances,” Boone said. “Draw them out and have loving, ongoing conversations with them.”
Panelist Rebecca Graves, the operations director of Durham-based nonprofit TROSA, also addressed questions from the audience. In addition, current TROSA residents provided their lived experiences and examples of how they were able to get the help they needed. TROSA helps those with substance use disorders recover and live healthy, productive lives. CTSI CERI collaborated with TROSA to host two community listening sessions at TROSA, which assisted in the script’s development.
In response to a question about how to help a friend who was abusing drugs, Graves advised the audience member to get Narcan (Naloxone) to reverse the overdose for people with opioids in their systems. Four or more doses of Narcan might be required until the person gasps for air and is responsive. Fentanyl strips can also test liquid drugs for fentanyl before consuming them.
“[Everyone] should get Narcan and fentanyl strips,” Graves said. “It’s a great thing to hook a friend up with to save a life.”
With health being an essential part of human life, the ethnodramas bring an entertaining and engaging way to inform Durham citizens.
Lisa Davis, MSPH, PhD, the director of operations of the Duke-NCCU Bridge Office at Duke CTSI, said the office strives to bring more awareness to health through theater.
“The Duke-NCCU Bridge Office champions ethnodramas as they help start important conversations with loved ones about health issues disproportionately impacting communities of color,” Davis said. “It was amazing to collaborate with this fabulous team of academic, community, and health partners to help stop the opioid crisis and provide information that can truly save lives and better equip parents to safeguard their children.”
Plans for the next ethnodrama are scheduled for early next year.
ADDICTION RESOURCES
At the Durham County Health Department, Narcan is available for free. The department also provides other free resources that may be helpful for those dealing with substance abuse. In addition, TROSA and TRY offer resources in the community as well.
The Duke Addictions Program and the Duke Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Substance Use Treatment (CAST) also offer opioid addiction recovery.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has evidence-based programs available nationwide. Also fighting the opioid crisis is the organization Shatterproof, which offers a “quality treatment locator” designed to connect patients with care.
Helpful Links
North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition