Closing date looms for national Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives awards

Time is running out for people in West Yorkshire to salute the unsung heroes who are helping tackle drugs in their communities.

The Home Office national awards scheme to find the drug worker and team of the year will close to nominations on Friday 31 March. Colleagues, friends, family members and even those using or who have used drugs services are being urged to get any last minute nominations in to recognise the drugs workers they believe are doing an outstanding job.

The awards - part of the Government's Tackling Drugs Changing Lives campaign - are open to all public and voluntary sector workers in the UK who have taken direct positive action to tackle drug issues in the local community. Two awards are available, one for an individual and one for a team and each winner will receive £10,000 for their organisation.

Dealing with drug-related issues is a feature in the working lives of people across the public and voluntary sector, from Drug Treatment providers, Police teams, Prison Officers, Social Workers, Housing Officers and Youth Workers to specific roles such as Criminal Justice Interventions Teams and Drug Action Teams. The awards provide the opportunity to recognise and reward those unsung heroes who change lives every day.

Anyone whether they are colleagues, friends, family members or current or ex-service users can make a nomination at http://www.drugs.gov.uk any time before the end of March 2006. An expert judging panel will choose finalists from each of the government regions and one overall winner in each category. The winners will be announced on 23 May on National Tackling Drugs Day.

Jacqui Lewis, Home Office Director for the Yorkshire and Humber region said:

"There are increasing numbers of people entering treatment in West Yorkshire and we expect to be able to help more people than ever this year. This is helping to reduce the misery that drugs cause users and the communities they come from. This doesn't happen without a lot of hard work. There are many individuals and teams that are making the difference. These awards are about recognising and rewarding the drug worker and drug team that have gone the extra mile to help turn lives around. Please help to recognise that good work by making an award nomination."