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£1.6m to tackle abuse among teenagers
Feb 27 2004
By Sophie Blakemore, Birmingham Post
Birmingham has been chosen to test a Government drive to tackle drugs, alcohol abuse and pregnancy among teenagers in some of the country's most deprived areas.
The Young People's Development Programme, announced yesterday by Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson, will offer 13 to 15-year-olds education and training opportunities in areas including journalism, environmental activity, arts and sport, as well as mentoring, life skills and health-related training.
The programme is based on a similar approach in the United States which has led to reductions in teenage pregnancy.
As part of the scheme, teenagers in Birmingham will be given the opportunity to utilise dance and arts, outdoor activities and musical skills at three projects.
The Fairbridge Sound Advice for Everyone project, Birmingham Awareness Project and city council-run Maypole Centre scheme are three of 27 pilot schemes across the country which will run for three years, co-ordinated by the National Youth Agency.
Their success will then be evaluated to help guide future policy on reducing substance abuse and improving sexual health.
Launching the programme, Ms Johnson said the campaign would build on existing projects in the UK. "These programmes aim to help young people who are at risk develop the skills to enable them to maximise their potential," she said.
"We're investing £1.6 million into projects around England to enable them to extend and broaden the work they have under way with young people.
"It's all part of the Govern-ment's drive to reduce health inequalities between the country's disadvantaged regions and more affluent areas."
Hilary Spiers, director of communications at the NYA, added: "The pilot involves intensive support for the young people involved over an extended period and will work across the whole range of their personal and social development.
"It is designed to build on strengths and potential to allow young people to make informed decisions, rather than simply focusing on problems."
Other trials include a journalism scheme in London and environmental project in Cumbria.
