GOVERNMENT funding totalling £86,200 has been awarded to the Epping Forest Drugs Reference Group to fund initiatives for tackling drugs and alcohol abuse in the district.o

The drug reference group, part of the Epping Forest Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, of which Epping Forest Council is a member, has prepared an action plan based on a number of aims and objectives designed to help young people resist drugs.

It also aims to protect the community from drug-related antisocial behaviour while helping people overcome drug problems and live more healthily.

Initiatives include the provision of more information, advice and support through new specialist centres, a mobile advice and information service in a minibus that visits towns and villages, and liaison with employers to raise awareness of drug issues in the workplace.

It is also intended to provide a range of services to help drug users overcome their dependency through the development of an effective treatment service.

District council community wellbeing portfolio holder Stan Goodwin said: "We're delighted to have received this grant, which will enable us to provide advice and support for those involved in dealing with the problems in our society that result from drug and alcohol abuse.

"Initiatives will range from the provision of a young person's project and activities targeted at the young people of the district through leisure and education, to training for health professionals and front-line staff working to help drug users overcome their dependency."

July 18, 2002 08:30