One Hopeman woman has decided to tackle them head on and has become Moray's first voluntary worker for a UK-wide charity.

Jo Pickford (43) is the district volunteer drug educator for Hope UK, a London-based group.

Her work with the organisation sees her visit youth groups and discuss issues to do with alcohol, tobacco and drugs, with the aim of helping youngsters make informed choices.

And as part of her work she has had to make her own commitment not to smoke, drink or take illegal drugs.

"We work towards young people being able to make drug free choices," she said.

She added that there is plenty of interest in the subject among youths. "It's not a challenge getting them to talk," she said.

Alongside the discussions, Mrs Pickford also uses games and other group activities, which she describes as "fun and games to get them to think it through."

She also said the charity is not a one-message organisation. "It's more about hoping that we can provide people with information that makes them choose a drug free life," she said.

"We want to develop their own ideas and opinions rather than just tell them to say 'no'. The whole point of it is to let young people know more about what drugs are."

She added: "Hopefully, it will help to prevent them getting involved with illegal drugs."

However, she also acknowledged some of the youngsters she speaks to may still end up using the substances, but feels her work could still be valid.

"If my work stops a 14-year-old trying drugs or alcohol until they are 16 it will be better for their health, they will have a better social environment and it will be better all round.

"They will make the choice in a considered way rather than feel pushed into it."

The London-based charity is based around Christian principles and Mrs Pickford is herself a committed Christian, though she said: "We go out to any group".

She decided to get involved with Hope UK after she saw youngsters in an intoxicated state in Elgin.

"Just seeing the increasing nu mber of people running up streets making people feel very threatened by it," she said.

"They may think the people in the streets have probably been drinking but they could be high on drugs."

Though she is the first volunteer in Moray, Mrs Pickford hopes she will not be the last.

"There is a great need for more volunteers," she said.

Preparing for the job involves training in London as well as a period of home study.

"Training is provided free of charge but it is quite a commitment," said Mrs Pickford, who works full-time as a community service co-ordinator for another charity.

Hope UK hopes to have 1,000 educators trained by the end of 2011. For more information visit www.hopeuk.org

d.bick@northern-scot.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---