§ Mr. HurstTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what new initiatives the Government are introducing to help vulnerable young people resist drugs. [116649]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyI am pleased to announce that today my Department was able to help launch Positive Futures, a joint sports and drug prevention initiative designed to engage young people at risk.
The UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit in the Cabinet Office, Sport England and the Youth Justice Board have joined together to create the initiative, which will use sporting and drug education activities to divert vulnerable young people away from drug misuse and crime.
Between the three partners, £950,000 will be invested in 2000–01 to fund 24 projects around the country. By the end of October, all 24 will have begun.
As we set out in our 10-year anti-drugs strategy "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain", the Government are committed to helping young people resist drug misuse in order to achieve their full potential in society. I believe that this initiative will give hope to young people in areas of deprivation, helping them to build self-esteem and confidence while, at the same time, offering a healthy alternative to involvement in drugs.