DRUGS PROJECT EARNS PRAISE

A SHEFFIELD project aimed at reducing the number of children who drink and
take drugs has proved so successful it could be repeated all over the country.

The North Sheffield Drug and Alcohol Project was highlighted during a
conference to discuss the best ways of reducing the number of children who
drink.

Organised as a joint project by Alcohol Concern and DrugScope, the event
promoted some of the most successful schemes running in the north of the
country.

According to organisers the amount that 11-15 year olds drink has doubled
in the past decade, with the average teenager now drinking 10 units of
alcohol a week - making them among the heaviest drinkers in Europe.

The North Sheffield Drug and Alcohol Project, which runs educational and
leisure activities for young people from the Owlerton and Southey wards of
the city to try to divert them away from the lure of drink and drugs, was
praised for its work.

Set up in 1997, the group organises residential trips for young people to
encourage them to have fun away from their own communities, learn new
skills and to discuss issues which do or could affect their lives,
including substance abuse.

It also runs support groups and holds drop-in information sessions and
public forums, where members of the public of all ages are encouraged to
have their say on drug and alcohol-related issues in their communities.

Community development worker Yvonne Hayes said: "The project takes an
holistic approach to tackling drugs and alcohol and is committed with local
residents to regenerating the area as a whole."