Tackling Control, Coercion, and County Lines: “White Boi Play”
HOW THEATRE IS OPENING OUR EYES TO THE DESTRUCTIVE REALITY OF COUNTY LINES IN THE UK
“WHITE BOI PLAY”, ETCETERA THEATRE, 06/08/2022 & 07/08/2022; BOOK TICKETS NOW AT https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/white-boi/
A term that has been heard increasingly often in the UK is “county lines” — the act of organised criminal networks exploiting predominantly children and vulnerable adults to export drugs and money into one or more areas around the country. County lines have become a critical issue, spreading across the country through dedicated communication channels and other “deal lines”, especially for young people.
What effect does the presence of county lines have on our communities?
The supply and demand of drugs across the country are more easily met through county line operations, leaving many people increasingly vulnerable to the addiction and violence pinned to its side. Reports indicate that by 2018, more than 2,000 individual deal line numbers were already in the UK, connected to around 1,000 county lines. Societally, it is an epidemic. Children, young adults, and vulnerable individuals are ripped from any remote safety and launched into a hurricane of intimidation, manipulation, and greed — a sacrifice made by those at the centre of drug trafficking.
The Mayor of London’s office estimated that between January 2018 and April 2019, 4,013 young Londoners were involved with county line operations — although it is likely that this estimate is too low. Importantly, young men are the most likely to be targeted for county line offending, at 91%. Cultural norms surrounding men seeking help hinder efforts to curb the effects of county lines. Young men struggling at home, battling their mental health, or handling financial instability, are frequently encouraged to stay silent, “man up”, or “grow a pair”. How are we to protect these men from such violent exploitation if they do not feel able to speak up when vulnerable?
Extending the influence of county lines to broader society, those associated with individuals coerced into drug trafficking across the UK also face significant challenges. People trapped by county line operations frequently face control through debt bondage, threats, and violence towards themselves and their families. They may become distant, separated even further from help and support.
“When you do good you have the money and you are looked after and cared for and you are a ‘top boy’…But when you do bad, that’s when the trouble starts. I saw some terrible things, and at many points there were situations that could have turned bad for me.”- A 16-year old dealer from Norwich
Given this information, how does theatre align with resistance to county lines?
The presence of county lines is plaguing the lives of many. Far more attention must be paid to the impact of county lines, drug addiction, violence, and the disturbing culture of exploitation creeping across the country. Research from Firmin and Lloyd (2020) suggested that “…despite being at risk of significant harm, young people abused in community or peer, rather than familial, settings will most likely receive a ‘no further action’ decision from social workers following referrals for support”.
In this context, awareness becomes a critical movement for tackling such a destructive force. Theatre, one of the longest existing forms of expression, has turned to the stage to open people’s eyes to the theft of innocence created by county lines.
“White Boi Play”, by Global Juno Productions and Monkeys Blood Productions, tackles this reality head-on, exploring the life of a teenage boy who finds himself embroiled in life-threatening situations that will change his life forever. Written by Gary Coleman and directed by Jo Romero, it will open during Camden Fringe on the 6th and 7th of August 2022 at the Etcetera Theatre.
Theatre has a unique ability to create an equally greater understanding of the struggles of those we relate to and those we do not. Handing the stage to issues such as county lines increases the strength of social and cultural movements, empowering organisations and individuals alike to continue making a difference in their communities. In equal measure, showing a clear recognition of young people’s struggles in society helps build bridges with those who are more vulnerable.
Despite the epidemic of violence, coercion, and addiction caused by county lines, we can all play our part in drawing attention to the issue and reaching out to others. Such a widespread problem requires community, collaboration, and creativity — with this, we will be able to change society for the safer.
See “White Boi Play” at the Etcetera Theatre on the 6th and 7th of August at 11:30. Tickets are on sale now for £10 (concession prices available) at https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/white-boi/
“White Boi Play” is produced by Global Juno Productions and Monkeys Blood Productions. It is written by Gary Coleman and directed by Jo Romero. The production is sponsored by Urban MBA ad Derwent London.
Sources:
National Crime Agency — County Lines
National Crime Agency — 2018 County Lines Report
AlphaBiolabs: County Lines gangs excel at targeting child mules
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation — County Lines Insights
