Pupils get insight on drug world

The project will highlight the risks of abusing drugs, such as heroin

School pupils are being given a stark insight into the world of addiction and criminality in a project involving former drug dealers and users.

The pilot scheme is targeting pupils aged 13 and 14 at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni on Anglesey.

It aims to highlight the links between drugs and alcohol and crime, anti-social behaviour and traffic accidents.

It is hoped the Choose Life Project will then be rolled out to other Anglesey secondary schools.

"This will give 13 and 14-year-olds a rare and hard-hitting insight into a world that very few people know about," said Gareth Bayley Hughes the co-ordinator with the Ynys Môn Community Safety Partnership, which has teamed up with the Choose Life Project.

Anglesey, like every other county, has its concerns about drugs and alcohol abuse Councillor William Hughes

"The Choose Life volunteers will be using their own personal experiences to highlight the dangers of getting involved in drugs and alcohol abuse and the negative effects they have on the lives of individuals, their families, communities and society in general," he added.

As part of the day pupils are given a chance to watch the Choose Life play, written by a group of prison inmates, based on their own introduction to alcohol and drugs.

There are also discussion sessions with other groups including the Ynys Môn and Gwynedd Youth Justice Service, Anglesey's Road Safety Team, and North Wales Police.

Anglesey councillor William Hughes, who is the council's community safety portfolio holder, said: "Anglesey, like every other county, has its concerns about drugs and alcohol abuse".

"This new educational pilot will allow us to highlight the dangers associated with substance misuse."

Mr Hughes said that the volunteers' personal accounts would show pupils that drugs and alcohol can "destroy lives".

"By hearing their stories, and input from the other partner organisations, we'll be able to bring home these key messages to our young people," he added.

He said that if the project was a success the hope was to extend the scheme to other secondary schools across the island.