We started working in Whitehawk in December 2008 and carried out a community audit to explore how drugs and alcohol were affecting the area, what residents biggest priorities were and if residents had any solutions to the problems facing their neighbourhood.

We will be launching the cannabis poster on Monday 10th May, 3pm at the billboard on the corner of Whitehawk Road and Henley Street.

The young people and services involved in the cannabis project, along with local residents are all welcome to come along for a photo shot of the poster and presentation of certificates to the young people who were involved. 

Since then we have been working with the Whitehawk and Manor Farm Crime Prevention Forum and local services, such as the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Housing, Youth Services and the East Brighton Substance Misuse Service to deliver a number of projects and campaigns in the area.

One of residents’ biggest concerns was that young people were hanging around, possibly smoking cannabis. Local workers also expressed concerns that some young people were confused about the classification of cannabis and the effects it can have on people’s lives. In partnership with ru-ok?, The Crew Club, Kickz and Can Control, Communities Against Drugs ran four sessions, giving young people the opportunity to learn about cannabis and to produce a poster, to inform their peers in Whitehawk about cannabis.

As part of these sessions four young people completed the NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Drug Awareness, each of the young people sprayed their own canvas and they worked together to design and spray a large canvas which will be displayed on the billboard on the corner of Whitehawk Road and Henley Road between 10th and 23rd May 2010.

This poster will remind young people and adults that cannabis is an illegal class B drug and will publicise ru-ok? Young Persons’ Substance Misuse Service. Where to Get Help If you are under 18 yrs old and would like confidential advice and information about drugs or alcohol contact ru-ok? on 01273 293966.

If you are 18 or over and would like information, advice and support around drugs and alcohol contact CRI on 01273 607575, or if you live in East Brighton, contact the East Brighton Substance Misuse Service on 01273 294534. If you are affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use and would like support contact PATCHED, a service set up for the friends, families and carers of substance users on free phone 0800 085 4450. For more information about Communities Against Drugs please visit www.sussedcommunities.co.uk.