COUNCIL leader Mike Doyle has welcomed new plans to help in the fight against drug abuse.

The Government has announced proposals in a new White Paper to involve local partnerships to be at the core of the new anti-drugs strategy.

Councillor Doyle said the strategy will provide a more consistent approach to tackling the nationwide menace of drug abuse and said that St Helens already had a successful Drug Reference Task Group with the council working closely with the health authority, police, probation service, Community Health Council, Health Promotion Unit, primary and secondary head teachers, Home Office Drug Prevention Team, St Helens College and Merseyside Drugs Council.

"Our interest is in healthy local communities which are prosperous, safe, environmentally-sustainable and provide equality of opportunity for all citizens," he added. "The significance of today's Paper is that it enables local communities to devise their own solutions. I eagerly await news of central government funding to boost current initiatives which are already taking place in St Helens."

Activities include an on-going programme of community training and training for professionals, theatre education for primary school children, information for young people and the successful Alternatives to Drug Training programmes for drug offenders as part of their rehabilitation.

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