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VIDEO: Port Lavaca to show 'Drug Wars'
By watchdog in Watchdog
March 4, 2009

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Calhoun County community leaders want residents to know the Mexican drug violence claims victims in Texas.

So, they called Rusty Fleming, director and producer of “Drug Wars: Silver or Lead.” The film chronicles the violent cartels that now draw international headlines.

Fleming agreed to show his film in Port Lavaca on Monday night.

Victorians may remember Fleming and his film, which drew so many local moviegoers in late December that organizers showed the film twice.

The Travis Middle School Auditorium in Port Lavaca seats 600. Those who missed the Victoria showing are welcome to view the film there.

Just last year, Mexico’s drug war claimed an historic 5,500 lives, twice as many as in 2007. More than 1,000 died there this year.

As national concerns of spillover grow, so, too, do inland Texas fears.

“This is just a way for residents to become knowledgeable about the drug issue,” said Larry Nichols, Calhoun County schools superintendent. “Awareness may yield prevention. We’re near Mexico. People here need to be aware of the potential danger so that we can be on guard and ready.”

The Port Lavaca showing is geared at adults, but students are invited, too.

“Anyone in this region is welcome to attend,” Nichols said. “We’re showing the film a week before Spring Break. With the violence in Mexico, hopefully students won’t go there for Spring Break.”

The film is sponsored by the Victoria College Calhoun County Center, which provides education to residents outside Victoria. Matt Wickham is a center board member.

“Recently, we started to talk about our mission and role in the community. Larry Nichols brought up the idea of showing the film. Certainly, the violence, trafficking, drugs, affect all of us,” Wickham said. “We wanted to step up and do this for the community.”

After the film, area and border law enforcement experts, as well as Fleming, will discuss current-day problems tied to illicit drug trade.

“Mexico is in a sad state of affairs,” Wickham said. “The situation extremely serious. In terms of the students, we want them more familiar with the real costs and implications of casual drug use. I think the film is powerful enough to that get message across.”

IF YOU GO

* Screening of “Drug Wars: Silver or Lead” is Monday
* Travis Middle School Auditorium, 705 N. Nueces St. in Port Lavaca
* 6 to 7 p.m.: Meet the filmmakers
* 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Showing
* 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Panel discussion
* Admission is free
* For more, call 361-553-4316