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A CASH crisis could force the closure of a children's anti-drugs project. UP2U in Peebles trains secondary school students in drug awareness so they can provide primary seven children with realistic information on drug taking and the effects. The scheme has been running since 1999 and recently received funding from a bank for around £1700. And while team leader Pam Graham is heartened that funding will be in place until April 2009, she is concerned about the long-term. She said: "Lloyds TSB have been fantastic and provided us with around £80,000 over the last three years, but that was our final cash injection. "We did approach Glenn Rodger at the Council who looks after education and lifelong learning, and we've arranged a meeting with him, but whether that bears any fruit remains to be seen." Pam said the group has pledged to match any external funding with their own fundraising efforts. A recent sponsored jailbreak resulted in 29 young people making £25 each. UP2U recruits students from Peebles High School to be 'peer educators'. Around 26 young people were selected this year from the 100 who applied. The candidates undergo a four-week programme, including a residential training weekend where they use a training package put together by professionals from the police and addiction support groups. The educators then travel to schools in the Tweeddale area and speak with eleven-year-olds about drugs and alcohol and how to resist peer pressure. They also offer counseling, information and support within Peebles High School, as well as a buddy support system for first years who have just entered into secondary education and may be feeling a little lost. Pam said: "When you're young you tend not to listen to adults and the thinking behind UP2U was that you might be more likely to take on board what an older person within your peer group was saying. "That way it's far less threatening." Graeme Ferguson, 17, who is a senior peer educator, said: "I think it works better with us talking to P.7s because they're more likely to listen to what we have to say." SBC were unable to comment in the time given before going to press.
Published: Friday, 19th October, 2007 14:40
Published: Friday, 19th October, 2007 12:30
MARY Fleming may have been Queen of Scotland for a day in 1563, but she couldn’t have felt any more like royalty than 11-year-old Naimh Stewart did as Queen of Biggar last Saturday.
Published: Friday, 22nd June, 2007 10:33
FRIDAY the 13th lived up to its reputation as a day of mishaps as over 40 local firefighters fought two major fires within hours of each other.
Published: Friday, 20th April, 2007 15:38
ONLY the troop of entertainment ducks were disappointed with the weather at the Biggar Show last Saturday.
Published: Friday, 28th July, 2006 12:43
LOTTO winner Doreen McAllister worked through last Friday night despite her husband just scooping over £4 million.
Published: Friday, 7th October, 2005 13:29
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