The search is on for Gateshead’s unsung heroes who are making a real difference in helping to tackle drugs in their local community.
The launch by the government of this year’s Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker MP has signalled the start of a search for ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things to help people, and communities, to overcome problems with drugs.
Examples of the heroes now being sought could include people who help with diversionary sports training, drug enforcement activity or professionals who counsel and treat drug users – all of them are eligible for the award scheme.
Councillor David Napier, Cabinet member for Safer Stronger Communities, says: “Drug misuse does enormous damage not only to the individual who is taking the drugs, but to the whole community.
“Much of the crime dealt with by the police – especially crimes such as theft, burglary, shop-lifting, prostitution and drug dealing – are committed to support a lifestyle in which drugs play a major role. There is also a great deal of anti-social behaviour, nuisance and criminal damage associated with substance misuse.
“So it follows that if we tackle drug misuse then we are tackling a host of other crimes, too.
“We know there are dozens of people out there who are doing great work in protecting young people from drugs or helping them to recover from drug misuse. We think its time these people had the recognition they deserve, and the financial support to do even more. That’s why we are launching this search.
“If you know someone who is working to help young people to stay away from drugs, or is helping former drug users to turn their backs of them, or helping communities to banish the problems caused by drug misuse, then we want to hear about them.”
Two awards are available, one for an individual and one for a team, with each winner receiving £10,000 for their organisation to spend on the prevention or treatment of drug misuse.
Anyone can nominate a drug worker or drug team whether they are a friend, family members, colleague or service user. The closing date for nominations is 30 August 2008.
Launching the awards in Brighton last month, Vernon Coaker MP said:
“I know that drug workers and drug teams across the country are working tirelessly everyday to tackle drugs and change lives.
“These awards recognise their inspirational examples, which will help us to realise our ambition of fewer people starting to use drugs and for our society to be free from the problems caused by illegal substances.”
A panel of expert judges chaired by the Home Office will choose ten finalists, one from each of the nine government regions plus Wales. Two overall winners will then be chosen – an individual drug worker and a drug team. The winners will be announced towards the end of 2008 at a ceremony in London.