F or the las t 2 5 years , Teen Challenge U K has beF or the las t 2 5 years , Teen Challenge U K has been w orking and m inis tering to the ever increas ing p op ulation of drug addicts in the U K . Outreach team s op erating from coffee s hop s , m obile bus es and drop -in centres , regularly con-nect w ith des p erate young p eop le at s treet level. Rehabilitation p rogram m es in W ales , E ngland & Scotland p rovide long term s up p ort and life-s kills training.en w orking and m inis tering to the ever increas ing p op ulation of drug addicts in the U K . Outreach team s op erating from coffee s hop s , m obile bus es and drop -in centres , regularly connect w ith des -p erate young p eop le at s treet level. Rehabilitation p rogram m es in W ales , E ngland & Scotland p ro-vide long term s up p ort and life-s kills training.

THE JOURNEYThe Journey tells the compelling story of a young man trapped in a world of addiction, but for the cast and crew of this 2 hour production, this is far more than a story. It is a harsh and harrowing reality that they have lived through and escaped from.Most are former drug and alcohol addicts and graduates of the Teen ChallengeChallenge UK programme at the charity’s Carmarthenshire base and other UK centres. Between them, they represent over a century of life-controlling problems.‘The Journey’ combines music, drama and video as we witness one young man’s downward spiral into addiction. downward spiral into addiction. Like most, he starts out full of dreams and goals for his life. All that is lost when the lifestyle his friends offer proves to be a temptation he cannot resist exploring. Life spins out of control and he finds himself on a destructive treadmill of drug abuse, crime, addiction and despair. Struggling to survive, the nightmare feels like it will never end. That is when his search for hope and fight for freedom begins.

The aim of the musical is to depict in a visual format, these personal stories that have been impacting audiences over many years as the team have travelled around the UK to share their message of hope at organized events and conferences.AlthoughAlthough each individual’s experience is different, there are common elements. As Paul explained: “Many are allured into the drug lifestyle out of curiosity and peer pressure. For some, social use of drugs soon leads to the trap of addiction, life crumbles aroundaround them and they are left to survive, doing anything necessary to feed the intense physical cravings. Often when the men share their stories, they recall the misery of life in a bed-sit with just a mattress on the floor and only ever leaving the room to somehowsomehow find their daily supply of drugs. ‘The Journey’ depicts that sad scenario and the consequences of the addiction lifestyle, but also the contrast of the new life that so many of our young men and women are now experiencing” .The cast and crew have all found freedom from the misery and slavery of their addiction. Little wonder then, that they are passionate about communicating that message of hope to others.‘The‘The Journey’ will entertain, inform, inspire and challenge and is suitable for an ALL age audience.

The Journey’ is written by Paul Evans who has worked with Teen Challenge for 17 years. His inspiration was the hundreds of incredible stories he has heard from the young men and women who have gone through the rehabilitation programme. He said, “ It has always been an amazing experience to see drugdrug addicts change both physically and spiritually from a place of utter hoplessness to become young men and women with a sense of purpose and destiny”

For the last 25 years, Teen Challenge UK has been working and ministering to the ever increasing population of drug addicts in the UK. Outreach teams operating from coffee shops, moblie buses and drop-in centres, regularly connect with desperate young people at street level. Rehabilitation programmes in Wales, England & Scotland provide long term support and life-skills training.For further information on Teen Challenge UK call: 01269 844168. Email: info@teenchallenge.org.uk and on the web: www.teenchallenge.org.uk