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See other news storiesTackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards: National winners announced
12 December 2007
Outreach drug worker Vicky Ward, who works with the Turning Point Adult Treatment Service in Sheffield, and the Essex Young People's Drug and Alcohol Service Team were selected from among 400 nominees to each receive a Tackling Drugs Changing Lives National Award at a ceremony held in London this afternoon.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker presented the award to Vicky Ward, and Children's and Young People's Minister Kevin Brennan presented the award to Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service Team. Both winners were selected from 20 regional finalists and also received a cheque for £10,000 to spend on treatment and prevention.
Vicky Ward
Vicky Ward was described as working tirelessly to get homeless people into treatment by visiting squats and streets to locate her clients. She ensures that they can access the treatment and healthcare they need. Her nominator described how Vicky is driven to overcome obstacles, 'She works with her clients and will keep on trying until she finds a solution.'
Mr Coaker said, 'I want to congratulate everyone who took part in this year’s awards. It’s fantastic to be able to recognise the hard work, passion and dedication of people up and down the country who are working to reduce the harm to individuals, families and communities caused by drug misuse.'
Essex Young People's Drug and Alcohol Service
The Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service, a Children's Society project, offers support to young people affected by substance misuse. It also works with parents on drug and alcohol awareness, offering parenting classes. The service not only offers advice and information from its base, as well as a helpline, it also has outreach programmes operating in foster homes, prisons and hospitals and serves hard-to-reach rural areas.
Mr Brennan said, 'We know that drug and alcohol misuse by young people contributes to a wide range of other serious problems like being involved in crime, failing at school and mental health issues. However, we also know that drug use among young people is falling and it's because of services like the Essex Young People's Drug and Alcohol service who work tirelessly to deliver better outcomes for young people at risk of substance misuse.'
About the awards
The awards were established in 2006 to reward drug workers and drug teams across the country who are taking direct positive action to tackle drugs and are changing the lives of service users, their families and the wider community.
Find out more about the Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards
