Pioneering project to
tackle drug-related crime
by Gary Skentelbery
A GROUNDBREAKING project giving support to drug-abusing offenders is being pioneered in Warrington.
The ‘Drug Interventions Programme’ will unite specialists from across the criminal justice system and aims to move drug abusers linked to crime, away from drugs and into treatment and rehabilitation.
Created thanks to the dedication of the multi-agency Safer Warrington Partnership and workers from a range of crime, enforcement and support agencies, the programme is being co-ordinated locally by the Warrington Drug Action Team (DAT).
The long-term aim is to slash drug-related crime in Warrington and offer hope and opportunities to drug misusers linked to crimes so they can make a positive contribution to society in Warrington.
The Drug Interventions Programme involves a series of key frontline agencies – bringing them closer together than ever before.
They include the Probation Service, Community Drug Service, ARCH Initiatives and the Warrington Drug Action Team – and involve specialists including drug workers, arrest referral workers, probation officers and resettlement workers.
David Whitehead, Chair of the Drug Action Team, said: “People misusing drugs and involved in crime are notoriously difficult to access to offer support. All too often they become involved in crime to feed their habits.
“We hope, through the new Drug Interventions Programme, to give them the best possible support to get their lives back on track; to help them make a positive contribution to the Warrington community and to repair the damage drug misuse causes to themselves, their families and their carers.
“By giving support we can make a huge difference to people’s lives. Not just to the lives of criminals by tackling the root causes of why they became involved in crime and drug misuse. But for all the victims whose lives have been blighted by drug using criminals.”
Treatment for drug-addicted criminals has also been shown to ease the burden on taxpayers. For every ?1 spent on drugs treatment, around ?3 is saved from the criminal justice system.
The team behind the scheme offer a single point of contact for drug using offenders within the criminal justice system who are prepared and committed to turning their lives around.
The users can then access a full range of support services.
A package of treatment is negotiated with the offender and the team will monitor and manage this as they move away from a life of crime and drug use.
The programme is available to all drug using offenders in the Warrington area and those involved have already come into contact with more than 110 offenders and are currently working alongside 50.
For more information on the programme, contact Paul McAvoy, Criminal Justice Interventions Programme Co-ordinator on 01925 623622 or email pmcavoy@warringtondat.org.uk
Taking the plunge
with skarks!
by John Hendon
Charity fund-raisers are to take on an awesome task…going head to head with a tankful of sharks!
Paul Durkin, Carl Mason and Joanne Shaw will jump into the 4.5 million litre tank at Cheshire’s Blue Planet Aquarium.
Eyeing them up – from the inside – will be 10 shark species, up to 11ft. long.
Paul and Carl are raising money through a community project shared by their two companies, who are based at the same site in Warrington.
Joanne is a staff nurse at Warrington Hospital’s intensive care unit, which will benefit from the shark event sponsorship.
Paul said: “I came up with the idea to say ‘thanks’ for the ICU’s care of my mum, Ruth, in her final days.
“She received excellent medical care. But it was the personal touches from staff which made the difference. The family wanted to give something back.” “I just hope I have the bottle to complete the challenge on July 10.”
Carl added: “I’ve been to Egypt and dived in the sea – but coming face to face with a shark will be scary”.
The pair will have to endure colleagues humming the fearsome ‘Jaws’ theme for the next eight weeks!
Walking to new
world record!
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON has walked into a record-breaking world title – for having the longest line of footprints!
More than 11,700 paper footprints were taped, heel-to-toe, around the Halliwell Jones RL Stadium over the week-end breaking the Guinness world record.
The footprints came from all over the UK – the youngest from a baby, up to an 86-year-old woman. Some were decorated with feathers, yarn, paint and even chocolate.
The record breaking effort put the spotlight on a ‘Talk…Don’t Walk’ campaign in schools and youth clubs, spelling out the dangers to children and teenagers running away from home. Too often, they slip into crime, prostitution and drugs.
A team of volunteers spent three hours taping together the 11,700 paper footprints.
Spokeswoman Marissa Hankinson said: “The subject of running away is taboo. It is just as important to prevent children running away as it is to deal with those who have done so.
“The footprints trail has got the entire community involved. People are starting to talk about an otherwise difficult subject.”
Every year 100,000 young people nationally run away from home or care. Most of these end up taking drugs.
Georgina inspires
fund-raising bounce
by staff reporter
LITTLE Georgina Lee helped inspire a ?3,000 sponsored bounce to help raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.
Georgina, aged seven, from Fleetwood Close, Great Sankey, who suffers from the genetic condition which affects the lungs and stomach, was joined by family and friends for a trampolining marathon.
More than 80 people took part in the event, including her parents Mark and Jill. But her younger sister Francesca couldn’t take part due to a broken arm!
But she entered into the spirit of the occasion by charging people to sign her plaster cast!
It is the second year running the family have organised the event which aims to raise funds to help find a cure for the life threatening condition.
Donations can be made by visiting the website www.cftrust.org.uk
Mayor receives
charity runners
by Terry Johnson
Warrington Mayor Coun Ted Lafferty, received runners from the Royal Naval Air Station, Cornwall, at the Town Hall.
The team was making a 1,000-mile,eight-day relay run to celebrate the 60th anniversary of VE Day.
The runners are raising cash for disabled ex-Servicemen and women living at the Royal Star and Garter charity’s home.
Millionaire
shares secrets
by staff reporter
SELF-made millionaire, Simon Woodroffe, is key speaker at a major event for business leaders in Cheshire and Warrington.
The founder of Yo Sushi bar and food chain will share secrets of his success at Mere Golf and Country Club on June 15.
The Pathways exhibition – ‘Your Route to Business Solutions’ – will reveal plans to shake up the way that business advice is delivered across Cheshire and Warrington.
Aim is to boost performance of large and small companies.
There will be interactive demonstrations, workshops and ‘surgeries’.
It is the first time in the North-West that a partnership of agencies, led by the Learning and Skills Council(Cheshire and Warrington), Job Centre Plus, Business Link Cheshire and Warrington and the North West Development Agency have forged such an advice network for businesses.
