Once drugs and alcohol take control of someone’s life, things that are important to them person begin to topple over like a row of dominoes.

This is the illustration several local anti-addiction groups will use to show youth the negative aspects of substance dependence at The Domino Effect Talent Show and Toppling Contest next month.

“The purpose of this event is to raise public awareness about drinking and drug abuse, and to help people be responsible in their lifestyle choices,” organizer Shirlyn Smith said.

The event is set for 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Leak Street Education and Cultural Community Center in Rockingham, and is being hosted by Alcohol and Drug Services, Citizens of Richmond for Responsible Living and the Sandhills Center Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.

Auditions will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Leak Street location on Dec. 4.

Talent show performers will compete in adult and youth categories, with winners receiving gift cards or prizes value of up to $100.

“We’re looking for a variety of talent: poets, mimes, musicians, dancers, steppers, singers, comedians and anyone who has a special talent,” Smith said. “The only thing they have to do is either before, during or after they do their performance, I want them to talk about either the domino strategy or a drug-free lifestyle.”

Performances may not exceed five minutes in length, all lyrics, movements and gestures must family-friendly in nature and all contestants are encouraged to design their performance after the themes of “The Domino Strategy” or “A Drug-Free Lifestyle.”

The Domino Strategy for Responsible Alcohol Use can be found on the Internet at www.dominostrategy.org.

The purpose of the program is to reduce physical, emotional, legal and social problems related to alcohol by encouraging people over the age of 21 to implement low-risk consumption guidelines.

“The guidelines used in The Domino Strategy for Responsible Alcohol Use are taken from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” the Web site reads. “When these guidelines are not followed a chain reaction will occur (and) the same philosophy can be applied to drinking alcohol.

“With each drink there is a deterioration of judgment, alertness, self-control, reasoning and memory. It becomes harder to detect danger and decision making skills become impaired.”

Smith explained it this way.

“When a person starts drinking, it is going to cause deterioration in your memory, it’s going to cause health problems and drinking can even cause death,” she said. “The toppling contest is a part of the domino strategy, where the first in the pattern knocks down the rest of them, and people who can align the dominos with the most creativity and difficulty will win a prize.”

For questions or additional information, contact Smith at (910) 997-7135.

n Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.