CONSCIENTIOUS youngsters are driving a campaign to combat substance abuse – and teaching their peers about the dangers it presents.

A group of Year 5 pupils at Lime Tree Primary Academy have been working on a “Drugs and Alcohol Awareness” project as part of the Trafford Junior Neighbourhood Watch Project.

Messages advise on the effects of alcohol and drugs on the body, the mind, the family and the community and there is further information to signpost agencies and support available.

The Trafford Junior Neighbourhood Watch Project works with groups in schools training and educating them to be more observant, more able to record incidents, to recognise vehicles and company logos and to play a major part in keeping their community safe.

Children learn how to design flyers, posters and booklets, which will be professionally printed and distributed to pupils in other schools in the area.

“This is young people advising and informing other young people to stay safe which gives the project greater credibility in the eyes of other young people,” said Graham Roe, Trafford Junior Neighbourhood Watch Project secretary.

“Through this project, young people become more responsible and caring about their community. Life skills, skills of citizenship, social responsibility are all developed; helping them to see their community in a more positive light.

“In time, they will become sound role models who can exert positive influences upon many other young people and become ambassadors for their school and community.”

To help pupils identify with the project more closely, special tshirts with a Lime Tree Primary Academy logo, designed by the pupils, have been produced, as well as Trafford Junior Neighbourhood Watch badges.

“Not surprisingly, the pupils are very proud to wear their tshirts and badges and they really look forward to each work session,” added Graham.

The project, which is in its second year, is community-led, with support from the Safer Trafford Partnership and Trafford GMP.

Graham said: “Representatives from these organisations attend the monthly work sessions; so enriching the delivery of material with their own life experiences. This is a good example of partnership working between community and statutory agencies.”