The search is on for unsung heroes in the North West 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 members, colleague or service user. The closing date for nominations is 30 August 2008.
Launching the awards in Brighton, 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."
Last year's national finalists included East Lancashire drugs worker Hasan Sidat and Merseyside's inspirational Wirral Pier Project.
The 2007 Individual winner was Vicky Ward who works at Turning Point Adult Treatment Service in Sheffield. She received her award for working tirelessly to get homeless people into treatment and the best quality of care.
Vicky said:
"Winning the National Drug Worker of the Year award last year was a real privilege and has contributed towards promoting Turning Point's Adult Drug Treatment Service both locally and nationally.
"The £10,000 we received from the Home Office helped enormously as we have been able to fund a six-month outreach worker post. The additional street-based support means we have helped more vulnerable drug users in Sheffield receive harm reduction advice and treatment support.
"Bearing in mind the benefits the award has brought to clients and Turning Point, I would urge people to go ahead and nominate their local heroes for an award this year."
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. Actions taken ranged from police seizing tens of thousands of pounds worth of illegal drugs in Cumbria, to the launch of a diversionary boxing club in Oldham which aims to help drug users break their cycle of dependency.
