The Bayshore Fire Department simulates the rescue of a person from a car accident during the Drughouse Odyssey at the Lee Civic Center on Wednesday. CHUCK BALLARO

Fifth graders again got an opportunity to see the life-and-death consequences of wrong choices that can come from the use of drugs or alcohol.

For the first time post-Covid, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida held its Drug House Odyssey event at the Lee Civic Center which stresses the importance of making the right decision and how drugs and alcohol use isn’t one of them.

Fifth-graders from all over Lee County, as well as groups and organizations, came out for the three-day event, which is presented as a five-act play where teenagers make the wrong choices and face the consequences of their actions.

“We’re so happy to be back. We will witness the effects of making good decisions and bad decisions. We hope this will inspire families to talk about making good decisions, to show how much their parents love them and need them to make good decisions,” said Deb Comella, executive director for the Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida.

Jonathan Engh, chairman of the coalition, said as a parent, he has seen things like the party that they may have witnessed with their older siblings.

“The lights really come on with the arrest scene or the car crash and they think ‘I haven’t seen that before,'” Engh said. “Research shows that experimentation with drugs begins in fifth grade. It’s easier to find the exposure is greater and we’re trying to stay ahead of that curve.”

Among the groups participating included the Florida Highway Patrol, the Cape Coral Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and its Explorers, the Bayshore Fire Department, Lee County EMS, Lee Health and the State Attorney’s Office.

Tom Guthrie, assistant state attorney with the 20th Circuit Court, played the role of a judge in the play, and was joined by a fellow attorney playing the attorney of the defendant.

“We were asked to participate and are proud to be here and in the community. Hopefully we expose young students to some of what we do and teach them valuable lessons,” Guthrie said.

And what did the kids who came for Family Night on Wednesday think?

Maria Zapata, 17, and Dechbara Gonzalez, 12, said the kids learned some valuable lessons that even prescription drugs can get you in trouble.

“You have to be careful with narcotics and who you’re driving with and your surroundings,” Zapata said. “You might be a good driver but those around you might not be. And you may not only hurt yourself, but family and friends.”

“I learned you have to make good choices and that you can’t drink while you’re driving or do any drugs,” Gonzalez said. “You have to be careful the choices you make.”

While the play is not meant for small children, some went through the scenes and got some good lessons.

“You should never drink when you’re driving. I want to be a tornado chaser and I don’t want to make bad choices,” said William Vanwy, 8.

His younger brother, Jay, 6, was much more direct.

“Don’t do drugs and don’t give anybody drugs,” said Jay, who wants to be a mechanic when he’s an adult. “I want to make good choices. Don’t give them alcohol. Just give them water or soda or milk.”