The two overall winners in this year’s tackling drugs changing lives awards were announced by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell at an awards ceremony in London 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' were named drug team of the year for their work helping vulnerable women. Their 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.
Statement from the 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 professional 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 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 misuse.
Notes to editors
The tackling drugs changing lives awards ceremony was held today in London. Read more on the 2009 awards (new window).
The government’s drug strategy, Drugs: protecting families and communities (new window), 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.
The category winners also recognised at today’s awards ceremony were:
Drug Team of the Year
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Aquarius, Birmingham (West Midlands)
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New horizon youth centre’s women’s open space programme, London
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SHARP, Liverpool (North West)
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PROPS, Newcastle and North Tyneside (North East)
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Oxfordshire user team, Oxford (South East)
Drug Worker of the Year
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Stephen Holme, Derbyshire Constabulary (East Midlands)
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Roger Esgrove, Canvey Island Youth Project (East of England)
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Grantley Haynes, Birmingham City Council (West Midlands)
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Linda Graham, Bradford service user representative forum (SURF) (Yorkshire and Humber)
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Rea Wright, CRi Hounslow (London)
Drugs and Criminal Justice System
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Malcolm Wood, Job Centre Plus, Nottingham (East Midlands)
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Lee Harrington, Drugline-Lancashire Ltd, Blackpool (North West)
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Sushma Patel, Equinox, Ealing (London)
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DIP throughcare team, Leeds (Yorkshire and Humber)
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Criminal outreach substance advise Sandwell (COSAS), Birmingham (West Midlands)
National tackling drugs week
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Wirral drug and alcohol action team (DAAT) and Merseyside Police, Wirral (North West)
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the Quays team, Sittingbourne, Kent (South East)
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Christopher Piggin, West Yorkshire Police (Yorkshire and Humber)
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Andy Wragg, Nottinghamshire drug and alcohol action team (DAAT) (East Midlands)
Young People
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Bruce Hughes, the Matthew project youth team @ OPEN, Norwich (East of England)
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'Young peoples drug and alcohol support', Richmond (London)
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Claire Tromans and Emma Hurney, Solihull metropolitan borough council (West Midlands)
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Beverley Whitworth, Streetwise 2000, Bury (North West)
Community Engagement
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Adele Hope Addams, project silverfish (London)
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Oxford safer communities partnership, Oxford (South East)
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Platform, Tees Valley team, Middlesbrough (North East)
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Stockport service user forum, Stockport (North West)
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Knowle West Health Association, Bristol (South West)
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