The two overall
winners in this year's Tackling Drugs Changing Lives
Awards were announced by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell today.
The Awards, now in their fourth year, recognise and celebrate the
unsung heroes who go over and above the call of duty to tackle
drug use and drug related crime in communities across the country.
Stephen Holme, from Derbyshire, was named Drug Worker of the Year
for dedicating more than 30 years of his career in the police
force to tackling drugs. He currently manages the Derbyshire Drug
Market Project, which he set up in 2001 to investigate and tackle
the different drug markets in the county. He was also instrumental
in the set up of Lauren's Link, a charity which supports
families affected by substance misuse.
The New Horizon Youth Centre Women's Open Space
Programme was named Drug Team of the Year for its work helping
vulnerable women. This outreach programme helps young people
sleeping rough, female sex workers and other vulnerable women of
all ages affected by substance misuse around the Kings Cross area.
The programme works to reduce risk taking behaviour, increase
awareness of personal safety and empower female sex workers to
break the cycle of sex, drugs and violence.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said:
"I want to congratulate both the winners for their hard
work and dedication. These awards show just how many hard working
volunteers and professionals work tirelessly within our
communities to help individuals overcome drug addiction, support
those affected by it and reduce the harm it can cause to our
society.
"Latest statistics show that overall drug use remains
historically low, demonstrating that our efforts to tackle drugs
and get them off our streets are delivering results. However we
are not complacent, we continue to focus our efforts on reducing
the harm caused by illegal drugs through enforcement, education
and treatment."
The two overall winners were chosen from 28 category winners and
will both receive £10,000 for their organisation to spend on
tackling drug use.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards Ceremony was held
today in London. Full information on the Awards 2009 can be found
on http://www.drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/awards2009
2. The Government's Drug Strategy, "Drugs:
protecting families and communities", which was launched
in February 2008, recognises the key role played by drug workers
and drug teams. It aims to protect communities through robust
enforcement to tackle drug supply, drug-related crime and
anti-social behaviour; prevent harm to children, young people and
families affected by drug use; delivering new approaches to drug
treatment and social re-integration; and deliver public
information campaigns, communications and community
engagement.
3. The category winners also recognised at
today's awards ceremony were, the two national overall
winners were selected from the category winners:
Drug Team of the Year
* New Horizon Youth Centre's Women's Open Space
Programme, (London)
* Aquarius, Birmingham (West Midlands)
* SHARP, Liverpool (North West)
* PROPS, Newcastle and North Tyneside (North East)
* Oxfordshire User Team, Oxford (South East)
Drug Worker of the Year
* Stephen Holme, Derbyshire Constabulary (East Midlands)
* Roger Esgrove, Canvey Island Youth Project (East of England)
* Grantley Haynes, Birmingham City Council (West Midlands)
* Linda Graham, Bradford Service User Representative Forum (SURF)
(Yorkshire and Humber)
* Rea Wright, CRi Hounslow (London)
Drugs and Criminal Justice System
* Malcolm Wood, Job Centre Plus, Nottingham (East Midlands)
* Lee Harrington, Drugline-Lancashire Ltd, Blackpool (North West)
* Sushma Patel, Equinox, Ealing (London)
* DIP Throughcare Team, Leeds (Yorkshire and Humber)
* Criminal Outreach Substance Advise Sandwell (COSAS), Birmingham
(West Midlands)
National Tackling Drugs Week
* Wirral Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) and Merseyside
Police, Wirral (North West)
* The Quays Team, Sittingbourne, Kent (South East)
* Christopher Piggin, West Yorkshire Police (Yorkshire and Humber)
* Andy Wragg, Nottinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT)
(East Midlands)
Young People
* Bruce Hughes, The Matthew Project Youth Team @ OPEN, Norwich
(East of England)
* Young Peoples Drug and Alcohol Support, Richmond (London)
* Claire Tromans and Emma Hurney, Solihull metropolitan borough
council (West Midlands)
* Beverley Whitworth, Streetwise 2000, Bury (North West)
Community Engagement
* Adele Hope Addams, Project Silverfish (London)
* Oxford Safer Communities Partnership, Oxford (South East)
* Platform, Tees Valley Team, Middlesbrough (North East)
* Stockport Service User Forum, Stockport (North West)
* Knowle West Health Association, Bristol (South West)
244/2009
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk