The search is on for unsung heroes in the South West who are making a real difference in their local community. Examples include those who help with diversionary sports training, drug enforcement activity or professionals who counsel and treat drug users - all are eligible for the award scheme.
Two awards are available, one for an individual and one for a team, each winner will receive £10,000 for their organisation to spend on the prevention or treatment of drug misuse.
Anyone can nominate a drug worker or drug team whether they are a friend, family members, colleague or service user. The closing date for nominations is 30 August 2008.
Colin Passey, Home Office Regional Director at Government Office South West said:
"I know there are many people in the South West whose dedication to tackling drugs misuse is exemplary. These awards provide a great opportunity for their commitment to get the wider recognition it deserves and so I hope there will be many nominations from the region."
A panel of expert judges, chaired by the Home Office, will choose ten finalists, one from each of the nine government regions plus Wales. Two overall winners will then be chosen - an individual drug worker and a drug team. The winners will be announced towards the end of 2008 at a ceremony in London.
The launch of the awards follows on from the success of National Tackling Drugs Week (19-23 May 2008), which gave drug treatment agencies and police officers the opportunity to highlight and promote work that goes on throughout the year in communities to reduce the harm caused by illegal substances. In the South West police forces took part in a range of enforcement activity and there were a number of events held by Drug and Alcohol Teams.
