Duchess hosting anti-drug tours

The Duchess admits the event will shock some

Children were able to see the effects of drug and alcohol abuse during visits to a Northumberland tourist attraction.

Alnwick Garden, in the grounds of Alnwick Castle, hosted a special tour designed to bring drugs education to life for local schoolchildren.

Addicts were played by actors, who simulate the negative effects of drugs like cocaine, ecstasy and heroin.

The Duchess of Northumberland described the event as a "shocking but different" approach to drugs education.

The fact that addicts are actors was not revealed to schoolchildren until they reached the end of the so-called Reality Tour.

Whether it's a drunk slurring and stumbling in the Treehouse or a heroin abuser shivering in our Rose Garden, the realities of turning to drugs will be plain to see Duchess of Northumberland

The pupils then took part in a series of interactive workshops with the Gibber Theatre Company.

The duchess has already been given permission by police to grow drugs, including cannabis and opium in a special area of the gardens complex.

She said: "Reality Tours is shocking and probably quite unnerving for lots of our visitors.

"But we have always done things differently here and that goes for our approach to drugs education, too.

"Children are here on a fun day out and it will be interesting to see their reactions to passing 'drug addicts'.

"Whether it's a drunk slurring and stumbling in the Treehouse or a heroin abuser shivering in our Rose Garden, the realities of turning to drugs will be plain to see."

Trudi Eadington, assistant head teacher at Wensleydale Middle School, one of the first schools to take part in the new scheme, said: "Reality Tours gives pupils a new perspective on drugs and brings to life some hard-hitting messages under rather incongruous circumstances, which only intensifies the experience for the children."

Vicky Blackburn, training and development director of the Gibber Theatre Company, said: "Drama breaks down barriers and can be a very effective medium that provides a real learning experience for everyone involved."