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4 members of Blaize were involved (either on the committee or as auditors) in this initiative.

The following details of the iniative have been copied from the West Yorkshire Police web site: -

Teenagers who have been educating their peers to help ‘tackle’ the menace of drugs in schools were honoured by Bradford’s own rugby stars in a glittering ceremony.

Students and Schools across Bradford district who have taken part in a major multi agency prevention scheme were acclaimed by players from the Bradford Bulls at a Bradford Schools Drugs Prevention Initiative Awards night on July 8.

Guests on the night, which recognises excellence in drugs education and prevention, included Mr John Parkinson, Assistant Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police and Mr Stan Hardy, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, and Lesley Hart, Director of School Improvement at Education Bradford.

As part of the event they presented awards to teenagers aged 16-17 who have who have volunteered for training in drugs prevention through a Peer Educator scheme to pass on messages about the dangers of substance abuse to fellow pupils.

This has seen them train with experts and then deliver their own lessons to peers through a programme which has grown more popular year on year.

Aside from recognising Peer Educators, meanwhile, the ceremony also saw Charter Awards presented to a total of 10 schools who have all met a range of standards to improve drugs education and make sure they have policies in place to deal with releated issues, such as alcohol and tobacco.

These have included providing effective substance related health education, working closely with other agencies and provide support to pupils and families.

A total of 56 schools have achieved the Charter Award in previous years.

The awards and Bradford Schools Drugs Prevention Initiative is supported by a range of agencies including West Yorkshire Police, Education Bradford, Bradford Council, the Judiciary, Rotary Clubs and Soroptomist International.

Superintendant Steve Cotter of West Yorkshire Police, said: “The Bradford Schools Drugs Prevention Charter has had a real impact on drugs and related substance education in Bradford since it was introduced in 1996 and we are delighted that our schools recognise the importance of this work and continue to support it.

“West Yorkshire Police, Education Bradford, Rotary Clubs and The Soroptomists continue to work very closely together to help our young people the tools they need to make informed choices about alcohol, cigarettes and drugs."

Mr Cotter added that he was particularly pleased to commend older teenagers who had volunteered to become Peer Educators.

“We have found teenagers respond much better to advice on this subject from people they know so this scheme is a very effective way of communicating for us, and also very popular with those who take part," he added.

Shirley Watson, deputy principle at Dixons Academy said: “We are very proud this year to be hosting the annual awards for the Bradford Schools Drug Prevention Initiative.

"We have been involved with the Bradford Schools Drug Prevention Initiative since it's inception in 1994 when I understand we were one of only two schools involved. It is marvelous to now see the involvement of so many schools, both primary and secondary.

"Over the years, many of our students have been trained as drug peer-educators, an experience that they greatly value. This year 19 of our Year 12 students will be awarded for their involvement in the scheme. We firmly believe that drug peer education is a highly effective method of delivering a relevant message to young people.

"Last year we were delighted to be re-awarded the Bradford Schools’ Drugs Prevention Initiative Charter Award.

"We greatly value this as a prestigious and rigorous quality assurance of our whole school drugs education, of which peer-education is just a part."