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[via press release]

The N Teams Up With Anti-Gun Violence Organization PAX To Present a Two-Part ‘School Shooting’ Episode of the Hit Teen Drama ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’ Friday, December 3 and Friday, December 10

*100,000 Students Bring A Gun To School Every Day

In 3 Out of 4 School Shootings, Students Knew About The Threat Before Hand

Exclusive Degrassi ‘School Violence’ Parent Discussion Guide Available at http://discussions.the-n.com

NEW YORK, Oct. 28 — The N, the nighttime network for tweens and teens, is partnering with PAX, the largest, non-political organization dedicated to ending the gun violence epidemic in America, to present a special two-part episode of its hit teen drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation that delves into the issue of gun violence on Friday, December 3 at 8:00 p.m., ET (Part I) and Friday, December 10 at 8:00 p.m., ET (Part II).

In support of this episode, The N will provide viewers with useful information about this issue, giving teens real solutions to help stop gun violence. PAX will consult on The N’s parent discussion guide for the Degrassi: The Next Generation school violence episode which will be available on http://discussions.the-n.com on Thursday, December 2. The episode-specific guide offers tips and discussion questions about the issues raised in Degrassi to use as conversation starters with adolescents.

In addition, The N will create and air a new public service announcement in support of PAX’s SPEAK UP campaign that stars Degrassi’s Aubrey Graham (Jimmy), and will air two of PAX’s SPEAK UP PSA’s about gun violence. All three PSAs will contain PAX’s SPEAK UP anonymous, national free hotline phone number (1-866-SPEAK UP) for students to call to report weapon threats in their school. PAX will also collaborate on online content about the issue on The N’s web site http://www.the-n.com.

“As always, Degrassi deals honestly with topics that are important to teens, but often uncomfortable for adults to address,” said Tom Ascheim, Executive Vice President, General Manager, The N. “This episode, along with our partnership with PAX, allows us to offer teens the resources they need to deal with this sensitive issue that unfortunately, is too often in the news.”

“We are proud to partner with The N on this very important episode that will help empower students to speak up and make their schools safer,” said Dan Gross, co-founder and CEO, PAX. “100,000 students take a gun to school every day, which is why it’s imperative to teach teens the importance of gun violence prevention.”

Rick is back at Degrassi and determined to prove that he is not the same guy whose violent temper landed Terri in a coma last year. But Terri’s friends aren’t going to forgive and forget so easily. Spinner, Jimmy, and Jay are intent on making his life at Degrassi a living hell. No matter where he goes, Rick is bullied. Fortunately, Toby and Emma have given him another chance or he’d have no friends at all. There’s still one place where Rick can shine and win back the respect he desperately craves: the “Whack Your Brain League” trivia finals. But Rick and Jimmy are on the same team and Rick worries that Jimmy will ruin his last chance of proving himself to Degrassi.

As the team practices and Jimmy gets to know Rick better, he realizes that the bullying has gone too far, for too long. With Jimmy’s forgiveness and social acceptance, Rick is on top of the world. He finally has friends — both geeky and loyal — Toby, big man on campus Jimmy, and the beautiful and amazing Emma. Spinner and Jay still aren’t convinced that Rick is worthy of anything but torture and they plot the ultimate payback. At the finals, Rick is in his element and triumphs in the “winner-takes-all” lightning round. But in Rick’s moment of glory, in front of the cameras and the entire school, a bucket of bright yellow paint and feathers are dumped on him. Rick is completely mortified as the audience’s applause turn quickly to laughter.

Later, Rick takes Emma’s consoling gestures the wrong way and he grabs and kisses her. Emma furiously pushes him away — not only does she dislike him, she pities him. Feeling completely alone and the laughing-stock of the school, Rick heads home with a rage boiling within. What happens next is an unthinkable tragedy that will leave Degrassi scarred and changed forever.

About PAX

PAX is the largest, non-political organization dedicated to ending the gun violence epidemic in America — an epidemic that kills nine children every day. Through two innovative and acclaimed national education and awareness programs — ASK and SPEAK UP — PAX works to redefine the issue of gun violence from a political one, to an urgent crisis of public health and safety. PAX provides real solutions that anyone can use to help make homes, schools and communities safe. For more information, log on to http://www.pax.com.

About The N

The N, the nighttime network for tweens and teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 42 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N’s mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network’s web site http://www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

* 100,000 students bring a gun to school every day. – Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2001)

** In 3 of every 4 school shootings, students know about the threat beforehand. – Vossekuil, B., Reddy, M., Fein, R., & Borum, R., & Modzeleski, W. (2000). U.S.S.S. Safe School Initiative: An Interim Report on the Prevention of Targeted Violence in Schools. Washington, DC: U.S. Secret Service, National Threat Assessment Center.

SOURCE The N