WAR ON DRUGS GETS CASH BOOST

THE fight against drugs in the Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough areas
has received a major cash boost with more than AUKP630,000 being earmarked
for projects across Northamptonshire.

The cash, which has been released by the Home Office, will be used to fund
new and existing schemes throughout the county during the 2003/04 financial
year.

The schemes which will benefit are those aimed at disrupting local drugs
markets, tackling drugs related crime and strengthening communities to
resist drugs.

*Organisations and schemes set to benefit from the cash injection include:

*Communities Against Drugs

*The Drugs Action Team

The Hope Project " which rehabilitates offenders who have a drug habit.

Other schemes to benefit include projects that provide leisure activities
for the young such as sports clubs, drama groups and youth organisations,
as well as projects aimed at parents with a history of using drugs. Other
schemes to benefit include ones which target children using drugs.

Emma Pawson of the County Drugs Action Team said: "These projects, and a
number of others receiving funding for the second year, achieved
substantial and measurable success.

"We are now looking to improve on that success during the next two years."

Recent Communities Against Drugs projects have included a stand at the
Northampton Balloon Festival and other major events where the public are
given in-depth information about drug use and misuse.

The organisation was responsible for a BBC Radio Northampton chat show
featuring an ex-addict in a discussion of drug issues.

Northampton will receive AUKP205,000 of the allocated drugs cash with the
other AUKP425,000 being spent on the rest of the county.