A RADICAL new scheme is hoping to alert Trafford's youngsters to the dangers of drugs.

The initiative is a police idea jointly funded by bosses at Altrincham Ice Rink to provide information leaflets for young skaters.

It is all part of a drive to hammer home the message to teenagers and will see flyers distributed to all the secondary schools in Sale, Altrincham and Timperley.

And to encourage the youngsters to keep the information, they will be entitled to free skates at the ice rink on production of the full leaflet.

Managing Director of the rink, Mauro Visinoni received a supply of the leaflets from area bobby Phil Rasmussen this week and says that the rink are delighted to be involved.

He said: "When the community safety officer at Altrincham, PC Tony Crompton approached me with this idea I was impressed by its innovation and we are proud to have provided funds for the scheme.

"The offer of free skates by showing the leaflet makes a big dent on the peer pressure experienced by these young people.

"It can be re-used but only as long as the kids show the whole leaflet - it follows therefore that the longer these young people keep the leaflet the more likely they are to read it and take in these important facts."

The leaflet contains details about the symptoms and dangers of drugs, solvents and alcohol as well as useful contact numbers and emergency treatment advice.

PC Phil Rasmussen added: "I have been involved in many operations in this area involving youths and all too often the hard work between the police and community goes unheard and ideas for the solution lacks funding.

"This partnership is positive and is aimed at teenagers in this area - the more aware they are of the dangers of drug abuse, the more able they are to make an informed decision about such subjects."

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