A HIGH-profile conference looks set to be a major success in the fight against drugs misuse.

The event, next month, has been organised by the Drug Reference Group of East Lancashire - to form a network of local organisations and services who will contribute to a programme of drug awareness events.

The Drug Reference Group was set up six months ago as a branch of the county-wide Drug Action Team - part of a nationwide government strategy called Tackling Drugs Together.

It involves representatives from the police, health authority, probation service, schools and voluntary groups.

Peter Lewenz, district health promotion officer, said: "The main aims of the conference are to form a network of local groups, pool ideas and resources and identify what is needed in our drugs programme."

He added: "The government has not given us any new money to fund a programme of drug schemes so another aim of this conference is to attract some kind of financial support from local organisations."

The conference will take place at the Mitton Fold Conference Centre, in Langho, on Tuesday, October 15.

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