I think if we went around the room, we’ve all been touched, at least peripherally, by this disease.”

Linda Hurley, president and CEO of CODAC

PORTSMOUTH — If you like a story with a happy ending or at least an unambiguous resolution, “Four Legs to Stand On” may not be for you.

The one-act play by the theater group Coaast (Creating Outreach About Addiction Support Together) ends with college student Sam, who’s just revealed his substance abuse problem after a friend dies of an overdose, listening to words of love and support from his family.

“You don’t get it,” Sam responds, delivering the play’s final lines. “You just don’t get it.”

The point was clear: There are no quick or easy fixes for drug addiction, which can send a family spiraling into chaos.

“Four Legs to Stand On,” written by Ana Bess Moyer Bell, founder and executive director of Coaast, was seen by more than 40 people in the Portsmouth High School library Monday night. The 35-minute performance was followed by a question-and-answer session on addiction issues led by Ms. Moyer Bell, cast members and others.

The play is being staged about 20 times this spring, often at schools through the sponsorship of the R.I. Department of Health. (Monday’s performance was made possible by CODAC, PHS, the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition and the Newport County Prevention Coalition.) PHS 10th-graders will get to see the play in school on April 11, and then the public will have another chance to view it at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, at the Tiverton Public Library, 34 Roosevelt Ave.

Playwright’s inspiration

Ms. Moyer Bell, a drama therapist from South Kingstown, found inspiration for writing the play in real stories of addiction. She lost her high school sweetheart to substance abuse in 2012, as well as three more friends within a three-month period.

The play’s main message is that families need to have open conversations about addiction and call it what it is: a disease. The play juxtaposes family members’ ease in talking — even joking — about father Elliot’s cancer, while treating Sam’s addiction more like a dirty little secret.

“I think if we went around the room, we’ve all been touched, at least peripherally, by this disease,” said Linda Hurley, president and CEO of CODAC. “This performance allows for healing — a conversation to open the door.”

Paul Kandarian, who plays Elliot, knows all too well the toll substance abuse can take on a family. When he first met Ms. Moyer Bell a few years ago to talk about the play, he said, “my son was going through his own depths of hell.” 

Mr. Kandarian’s son found the strength to get help, however, and has been sober and in recovery from an opioid use disorder for three years.

“You have to fight the fight and find it within yourself to do it, and thankfully he did,” said Mr. Kandarian, whose character urges Sam to do the same. 

Carol Wilcox of Portsmouth, who lost her 22-year-old son Kevin to substance abuse in 2016, thanked the play’s producers for presenting such an accurate portrayal of the “chaos” families of addicted children go through. 

Kelly O’Loughlin, the student assistance counselor at the high school whose job focuses a great deal on helping families impacted by substance abuse, agreed. “There’s so much shame and isolation and this just brings it out,” she said.

Ms. Wilcox also made a pitch for the school district to hire a full-time student assistance counselor at the middle school. “One of the things I find to be critical is having another Kelly O’Loughlin at the middle school,” she said as those around her applauded. “By the time my son got to high school, really it was too late.”

‘I’m going to beg you’

Also present for the play and discussion was Lt. Governor Daniel McKee.

“I can’t go to too many communities without hearing a story like what was shared tonight. This is hitting every family, in some shape or form, around the state of Rhode Island,” he said.

Lt. Gov. McKee said his his office has had many fruitful conversations with municipal leaders on how to address the problem going forward.

Scott Sullivan, a retired Portsmouth police officer, implored the lieutenant governor to find funding for local substance abuse task forces such as the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition.

“I’m going to beg you to find the money for these coalitions,” Mr. Sullivan said. “No disrespect, but I don’t want to hear any more about municipal leaders who talked about this. I’m sick of talking about it.”

Mr. Sullivan said “every house break, every car break” is tied into substance abuse. “I’m telling you, you’re going to save money in the long run,” he told Lt. Gov. McKee, adding that the number of people who have died from drug overdoses since 2001 exceeds that of U.S. soldiers who have died in battle since 1774.

“It’s the biggest thing that is facing this state. We don’t give money for addicts when they go get help. We don’t give them any support. But we’ll spend money on prisons,” he said.

Ray Davis, coordinator of the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition, said he was grateful for the strong turnout Monday. 

“I know there are moms in this room who know this subject better than anyone could ever imagine and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, because they’re the ones who give me the impetus to get up in the morning and come and try to do this work,” he said.