Juano Munguia, a recovering cocaine addict, stood on a Wahiawa stage Saturday during a performance he hoped would change the lives of people like him.

Munguia, 28, from Washington state, joined a cast of 15 others who are dealing with substance abuse at the Whitmore Community Park performance of a musical drama that's bringing a message to communities affected by drugs, particularly crystal methamphetamine.

"I once sat where those people in the audience sit," said Munguia, who said he started using cocaine and crystal meth at age 13 but stopped a year ago. His role in the hourlong drama is a drug dealer. It's a role he played in real life, he said, when he was a teenager.

Since January, the cast of "ParadICE: Melting Away the Family Structure" has been performing on O'ahu in areas including Waipahu, 'Ewa, Nanakuli, Ma'ili and Kalihi — and plans to perform the drama statewide by next year.

The play, created by Wai'anae's Hidden Treasures Ministries, portrays the lives of two families dealing with drugs, alcohol and domestic violence. One family turns to the church for help; the other family's story ends with a murder. The play includes musical performances and Munguia's solo rap.

The cast consists of people who have dealt directly with substance abuse and also those who have been affected by drugs and violence, said Manny Borja, a former heroin addict and the play's producer.

"I've learned that drugs are not good because they destroy a family's structure," said 8-year-old Anis Augafa, who has played the role of a drug addict's daughter. The Leihoku Elementary third-grader performs alongside her mother, Chucky Augafa, and two older sisters, all members of Hidden Treasures Ministries.

Chucky Augafa said she once sold drugs. "People called me the terminator because when I went to collect drug money, I'd get really violent," said Augafa, 39.

More than 3,000 people have watched the play to date.

Gloria Fernandez, a 66-year-old Whitmore Village resident, saw the play Saturday.

"My son passed away from drugs when he was 41, so I know it's a big problem, especially in Whitmore. We do need more of this, and with more education it can reach more communities," Fernandez said.

"The play's a vehicle for healing," Borja said. "We specialize it for each city."

Each performance costs the church about $1,000, the majority of which comes from donations and is used for publicity and stage equipment. Because of the high costs to rent or build a stage, the actors usually perform on basketball courts or baseball fields.

A church pastor from each community that hosts the play, such as Whitmore resident Glenn Omalza of House of Faith Christian Ministries, is asked to perform in "ParadICE." Omalza said the play hits close to home.

"I did drugs and ran the entire drug operation out here," said Omalza, 45, who sold cocaine and crystal meth before he was even in high school.

Omalza hopes the play will "catch the attention of kids from the younger generations."

Said Fernandez: "Local people are not very vocal. And this play allows them to express their feelings about drugs."