Urban League officials say they expect standing room only for tonight’s free premier of the documentary “Young Lives on the Edge.”

The film shows the lives of four Charlotte teens as they cope with the wake of substance abuse and violence. The Urban League will use the film to help educate parents, teachers and other teens about the pitfalls youths often face.

Producing the film took more than six month and involved more than 100 people ages 13 to 23.

The Urban League used a $25,000 grant from the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and a $35,000 grant from the Foundation for the Carolinas.

The film describes some of the challenges facing a 19-year-old high school dropout, a 19-year-old single mother and former gang member, a 21-year-old married father who struggles to find work after giving up drugs, and a 21-year-old who lost his basketball dreams to drugs and alcohol.

Urban League officials said early today that more than 370 people had RSVP’d. The venue has seating for 320 and can hold about 500. Half of tonight’s expected crowd will be teens.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from church youth groups and various community organization,” said Shannon McKnight, executive assistant to Urban League of Central Carolinas President and CEO Patrick Graham.

IF YOU WANT TO GO:

Where: The Extravaganza Depot • 1610 N. Tryon Street @ Dalton Ave.

When: Thursday, May 28, 2009

What: A documentary film following the lives of four young Charlotteans struggling with issues of substance abuse and violence.

TIME: Doors open @ 6pm • Film will begin at 6:30pm

Cost: Free