ANTI-DRUGS PROJECTS WIN SHARE OF POUNDS 5M

Three North West groups are to share in a pounds 5m boost for the fight
against drug abuse in Northern Ireland.

The Northlands Centre and Divert Project in Derry and Strabane Community
Drugs and Alcohol Project have had applications for funding accepted as part
of a new Government-led initiative.

In total, pounds 5.5m will be made available over the next three years to
support the implementation of the Northern Ireland Drug Strategy.

The local groups are among 21 organisations which have been allocated
funding.

A Government spokesman said the majority of the money would be used to fund
projects on the ground.

"The money is being allocated immediately and will allow the successful
groups to get on with this important work," he said.

The exact amount each group will receive has not yet been revealed but a
spokesman for the Divert Project - which provides drug prevention and
education programmes in the Bogside and Brandywell areas - welcomed the
funding.

"This will help us raise awareness of a number of issues surrounding drug
use.

"We aim to engage young people who are involved in drug use and
anti-community behaviour through outreach work.

"We also want to educate parents on drug issues and the pressures on young
people to try them," he said.

Money has also been allocated to the Derry Drug Misuse Prevention and
Treatment Team - a joint initiative between the Northlands Centre and the
Sperrin Lakeland Health & Social Care Trust.

A spokesman said: "This project aims to facilitate early recognition of, and
intervention in, problems associated with substance use and misuse.

"It will include a youth counselling service, which will provide support,
advice, basic counselling, individual and family therapy."

Fountain Street Community Development Association in Strabane has been
granted funding for its drug awareness campaign aimed at young people.

The project aims to create a committee made up of young people to look into
the issue of drug abuse.