Parents are learning about everything from heroin to solvents in a bid to stop drug abuse on a housing estate.

A series of five free workshops has just been launched to raise the awareness of parents on the Windy Bank Estate at Hightown, near Liversedge.

It is hoped the project, a community safety initiative funded through Kirklees Council, may result in a permanent group being formed and an action plan drawn up, aimed at tackling any problems related to drug abuse on the estate.

Kirklees community drugs project worker Peter Bogojovic, who is running the workshops, said: "Basically the aim is to educate parents on what drugs are, how they affect people and what their dangers are, and perhaps also dispel some myths about drugs.

"There are already projects aimed at the kids but we want to make parents aware of the escalating drugs problem with a view to educating them so they can pass information on to the children and perhaps get them to think twice about taking drugs.''

Theresa Dyson, Kirklees' drugs education co-ordinator and community worker for the estate, said: "There's no evidence to suggest the estate has a problem any worse than anywhere else but the aim is prevention rather than reaction.

"The workshops look at the definition of all substances, legal and illegal, their effects and advice on harm reduction. If people are in contact with someone who's on drugs and is going to continue regardless, it's important they're equipped with the correct information about what help they can offer rather than 'just saying no'.

"We've had some feedback from people already who are saying they learned a lot at the first session, having previously only had very limited knowledge on the subject. We're hoping it will give them the confidence to go out and speak to young people about drugs.''

Workshops are being staged at High Bank First School on Wednesday afternoons between 1pm and 3pm for the next four weeks.

For more information about the course, call Mr Bogojovic on 01924 325389.

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