Dedicated workers sought for tackling drugs changing lives awards

The fourth annual national Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards, designed to recognise, reward and celebrate the work being done by drug teams and workers across the country, have been launched today by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell.

Nominations are being sought in the South West for people who have made an outstanding contribution to tackling drugs and who through the course of their actions have changed lives and communities for the better. Examples include those who help with diversionary sports training, drug enforcement activity or professionals who counsel and treat drug users.

Launching the awards, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell, said:

“Every day people working in the drugs field are changing lives for the better. Their work with individual drug users, families and across whole communities transforms lives and improves the places where people live.

“These unsung heroes deserve recognition for their efforts in going the extra mile to tackle drugs in our communities and I look forward to hearing many examples of the good work going on as nominations come in over the next few months.”

This year there are six award categories. In addition to Drug Team of the Year and Drug Worker of the Year there are four new themed categories looking for people who work with young people, within the criminal justice system, community engagement and the work involved in National Tackling Drugs Week.

There will be five finalists in each of the categories and from these, two overall National Tackling Drugs Changing Lives winners will each receive £10,000 for their organisation to spend on developing their work.

Anyone can nominate a drug worker or drug team whether they are a friend, family member, colleague or service user. More information along with nomination forms can be found online at  www.drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/awards2009 . The closing date for nominations is Monday 31st August 2009.

 

Juliette Randall, Acting Home Office Regional Director for the South West, said:

“Over the last year the South West has continued to benefit from the excellent work that individuals and teams are doing to tackle drugs and drug-related crime. This success can be attributed to so many people who all deserve an award and I would really encourage nominations to come forward as the South West has a good story to tell.”

Last year’s winners included:

 

ENDS

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Full information on the Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards 2009 and details of how to nominate can be found at www.drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/awards2009

2. For more on the Government’s drug strategy, “Drugs: protecting families and communities” go to http://www.drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/ 

3. Last year’s Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Award individual winner was Daniel Smyth from Brent, London. Daniel's focus is on engaging young males aged between 13 and 19 who misuse a variety of substances and who lives are falling into a downward spiral as a result of their misuse.  Through group sessions at the Brent Centre for Young People, as well as one-to-one support meetings, Daniel finds ways of connecting and motivating their group to turn their lives around. Daniel's hard work and commitment have yielded positive results: a majority of the youths he works with have reduced their substance use and are also no longer selling drugs in schools or in the community. And a significant number are now attending school regularly and independently playing an active role in progressing their education.
 
4. The team award was won by Families First in Middlesbrough. Run by Middlesbrough Council, Families First offers support to families with drug or alcohol difficulties where there is a real risk that children may be placed into care as a result of their parents' substance misuse.  The team has been described by the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership as a 'groundbreaking service that goes to the heart of the drugs strategy in reaching and supporting families at risk'.

5. Anyone can nominate a team or individual for an award: colleagues, family, community leaders, ex-service users – all are welcome to make a nomination. Nominees can work within any sector of the drugs field – prevention, education, treatment or enforcement. Practitioners from both the public and voluntary sectors are eligible. All nominees must work for a recognised organisation.

 

Issued on behalf of the Home Office by COI News & PR South West.
Media Enquiries – 0117 9003563.

 

12th June 2009
REF: 320/SWW/09