Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards

Shropshire’s Young People’s Substance Misuse Team has been named drug team of the year for the West Midlands area.

The team, based within Shropshire County Council’s Youth Support Division, has an emphasis on providing both drug and alcohol education and treatment in a rural county.

The national Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards, now in their second year, recognise, reward and celebrate the unsung heroes who go over and above the call of duty to tackle drug use in communities across the country.

Ten regional winners have been announced for the individual award, and 10 for the team award. Shropshire’s Young People’s Substance Misuse Team was named as the West Midlands team winner.

Roy Terrill, Young People’s Substance Misuse Manager at Shropshire County Council, said: “We are really pleased to win this award. It’s great that a team from a rural area has been recognised as being at the forefront of substance misuse work with young people.”

The team has a wealth of experience in working with young people, and includes team members qualified in social work, youth work and counselling.

Working with young people in a very rural county, team members provide a range of services, from innovative harm reduction workshops in schools to treatment for young people in serious difficulties with drugs and alcohol.

The team also supports parents of young substance users and young people who have experienced parental drug misuse.

Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for community safety, Gerald Dakin, said: “I am absolutely delighted the team's work has been recognised in this way. They have been doing some outstanding work which has really made a difference to people in the community.

“It is important to tackle drugs and substance misuse at any stage, but particularly at an early age as soon as problems develop. I would like to congratulate everyone involved with the team, and thank them for all their hard work."

Two overall national winners of the awards will be announced on 12 December, and each will receive £10,000 for their organisation to spend on prevention or treatment of drug misuse.

Home Office Minister, Vernon Coaker, said: “This year we received over 400 nominations for drug workers and teams who are working tirelessly every day to tackle drugs and change lives. All the nominations in the West Midlands were outstanding, but the Young People’s Substance Misuse Team in Shropshire stood out for the remarkable work they are doing in their local community.”

15 November 2007