DRUGS CAMPAIGN LAUNCH MARRED AS PIONEER CLOSES

THE launch of a high-profile 500,000 campaign to combat drugs
problems in Scotland has been marred by the announcement that a
project to help young people on drugs is set to close because of a
shortage of funds.

The 500,000 "Deal drugs a blow" initiative was launched in
Edinburgh yesterday by Scotland Against Drugs (SAD). The first
campaign of its kind in the UK, the project aims to implement
anti-drugs ideas from the public, while encouraging businesses to fund
the projects in cash or in kind.

A series of television, radio and newspaper adverts will feature Sir
Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United, and Sir Tom Farmer,
the chairman of SAD and the chief executive of Kwik-Fit, speaking out
against drug abuse.

However, as the campaign was launched in the five-star Caledonian
Hotel, in Edinburgh's West End, managers of the Crew 2000 announced
that their project would close today, following the end of a
three-year grant from the National Lotteries Charities Board.

The project advocates the pragmatic acceptance of drug use by young
people. It had applied to the Scottish executive for around 60,000
to ensure its survival, but it was granted only 26,136.

It was then advised to apply to the Edinburgh Drug Action Team and the
City of Edinburgh Council for the remainder of its annual 130,000
costs, but has failed to secure funding.

Founded in 1991, its five staff will begin winding up their Cockburn
Street base today and will close permanently unless further grant
applications are successful next week.

The project is visited regularly by fledgling drugs projects from the
European Union and beyond, wishing to learn more about its peer-led
approach to drugs education.

It has been critical of high-profile, high-cost advertising campaigns
in the past, saying the money would be better spent on reaching young
people in the community.

Last month, the Scottish executive announced an extra 1 million for
SAD, half of which has been spent on the new campaign, although SAD
hopes to recoup the money from business donations.

Around 1 million will be made available to community groups, with
half coming from SAD's administration budget and half from the
Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund.

Alistair Ramsay, the director of SAD, said: "I was aware that there
were difficulties with Crew 2000, but I didn't know they were closing
their doors. We would be happy to talk to them about it. There are
areas of common ground between SAD and Crew 2000."

A statement from Crew 2000 said: "Potential funders are considering a
number of bids, and we hope that one, or more, of these will be successful.

"However, in the meantime, we have no alternative other to close the
shop."

Mike Cadger, the project manager, said he did not wish to comment
further until the outcome of the project's funding bids was known.