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See other news storiesDedicated workers sought for Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards
12 June 2009
Do you know someone that deserves recognition for the difference they make in tackling drugs?
The fourth annual national Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards, designed to recognise, reward and celebrate the work being done by drug teams and workers across the country, have been launched. Nominations are being sought for people who have made an outstanding contribution to tackling drugs and who, through the course of their actions, have changed lives and communities for the better.
Launching the awards, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said, 'Every day people working in the drugs field are changing lives for the better. Their work with individuals drug users, families and across whole communities transforms lives and improves the places where people live.
'These unsung heroes deserve recognition for their efforts in going the extra mile to tackle drugs in our communities and I look forward to hearing many examples of the good work going on as nominations come in over the next few months'.
This year there are six award categories:
- Young people: a team or an individual who works in the young people sector to either divert young people away from drugs or support them if they become drug users
- Drugs and the Criminal Justice System: recognising that there is a huge amount of people who work in Criminal Justice Integrated Teams as part of the Drugs Intervention Programme to help and support drug using offenders
- Community Engagement: a team or an individual who works hard to encourage local partnerships to engage with their communities and address local concerns about drugs
- National Tackling Drugs Week: every year a staggering number of local agencies and police forces take part in National Tackling Drugs Week and this category recognises this work
- Drug Team of the Year: by working in partnership, demonstrating commitment to their work, and providing evidence of improving the lives of residents in the local community
- Drug Worker of the Year: an individual who has demonstrated how they have worked closely with clients and the local community
There will be five finalists in each of the categories and from these, two overall National Tackling Drugs Changing Lives winners will each receive £10,000 for their organisation to spend on developing their work.
The Tackling Drugs Changing Lives awards are for both individual and teams who fall under the categories above. Nominees can work or volunteer within any sector of the drugs field, be that prevention, education, treatment or enforcement. Practitioners from both the public and voluntary sector are eligible, although all nominees must work for a recognised organisation working in the drugs field.
Anyone can nominate a drug worker or team whether they are a friend, family member, colleague or service user. More information along with nomination forms can be found online in the awards section.
The closing date for nominations is Monday 31 August 2009.
