The search is on for unsung heroes in the North East who are making a real difference in their local community. Examples include those who help with diversionary sports training, drug enforcement activity or professionals who counsel and treat drug users - all are eligible for the award scheme.
Two awards are available, one for an individual and one for a team. Each winner will receive £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 member, colleague or service user. The closing date for nominations is 30 August 2008.
Launching the awards, Vernon Coaker said:
"I know that drug workers and drug teams across the country are working tirelessly everyday to tackle drugs and change lives. In fact, I have met many people and teams who deserve to be nominated for these awards.
"In recent years we have introduced tough legislation to tackle drug supply and remain committed to informing young people of drug dangers through information campaigns like FRANK.
"I want to do more, but I know we cannot achieve our goals without professionals and volunteers going that extra mile. 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."
Sue Peel, Head of Division for Community Safety at Government Office North East, said:
"Over the last year the North East 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 North East has a good story to tell."
Last year, Gateshead-based North East Council on Addictions worker Teresa Boden was named as the drug worker of the year for the North East, while Newcastle based "Trading Places" , a project set up by twenty former drug users to provide current drug misusers with food, warmth and clothing on a Sunday when other services aren't available was named as the drug team of the year for the region.
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.
The launch of the awards follows on from the success of National Tackling Drugs Week (19-23 May 2008) which gave drug treatment agencies and police officers the opportunity to highlight and promote work that goes on throughout the year in communities to reduce the harm caused by illegal substances.
Full information on the Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards 2008 and details of how to nominate can be found at http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/awards2008
