A PIONEERING service that helps young substance abusers across the borough has been awarded a £291,272 grant by the National Lottery Charities Board.

Early Break was established in Bury in 1994 by Mr Ian Clements, a drug advisor to Bury Health Authority and a professional youth worker.

Since its formation it has gone on to be a shining example of drug education, even influencing the Government. In 1996 it also began operating in Rochdale.

A delighted Miss Barbara Jack, Early Break's service director, said of the grant: "This is wonderful news for all at Early Break and for the clients who will benefit.

"Through the generosity of the National Lottery we now have secure financial funding for the next three years and beyond. During that time we will be able to bring into effect our plans to address young people's problematic drug and alcohol abuse."

Up until now Early Break has been partly funded by Bury and Rochdale Health Authority as well as the towns' councils.

This funding will continue, but the Lottery grant will provide a vital contribution to training, research, development and running costs. It will also help pay the salaries of a full time service director, administrator and a part time co-ordinator. In addition the service can expand the innovative use of alternative therapies for young drug users plus work with parents and carers to educate, inform and support.

As its names suggests, Early Break's aim is to act early enough to help those aged 18 and under to break away from substance abuse.

A non-profit making charity, it provides counselling and support as well as giving educational and information presentations to schools and community groups.

In the last six months alone it has offered more than 500 one-to-one sessions to young clients, parents and carers.

When Early Break was set up it was the only scheme of its kind in the North which provided confidential counselling for children and their parents.

In 1997 Mr Clements was responsible for introducing the pioneering scheme known as the Student Assistance Programme (SAP) from America.

Its main thrust was to ensure that youngsters who take drugs are helped and monitored at the earliest possible stage, not simply expelled from school or college.

The scheme was so pioneering that it attracted visits from the department of education and employment.

They were impressed and as result the Government decided to overhaul its drugs education strategy last year and rethought its "zero tolerance" attitude under which children were automatically expelled from school for even the most minor offence.

Miss Jack said: "We want to meet the needs of young drug users and this Lottery funding is a welcome recognition of the Early Break organisation and the role that it has to play and the benefits it is bringing to our local communities."

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